(Philippians 1:1–2; Colossians 1:1–2)
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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother: to Philemon, our beloved and fellow labourer;
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And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in thy house:
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Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon’s Faith and Love
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I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my prayers.
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Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus, and towards all the saints:
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That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work, that is in you in Christ Jesus.
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For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
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Wherefore though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus, to command thee that which is to the purpose:
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For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as Paul an old man, and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ.
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I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus,
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Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable both to me and thee,
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Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels.
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Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel:
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But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.
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For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee, that thou mightest receive him again for ever:
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Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me: but how much more to thee both in the flesh and in the Lord?
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If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself.
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And if he hath wronged thee in any thing, or is in thy debt, put that to my account.
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I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to say to thee, that thou owest me thy own self also.
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Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord. Refresh my bowels in the Lord.
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Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee: knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
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But withal prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
Additional Greetings
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There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;
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Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke my fellow labourers.
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.