He commends the faith and charity of Philemon: and sends
back to him his fugitive servant, whom he had converted
in prison.
1 Paul a prisoner of
Christ Jesus, and Timothy
our brother:
to Philemon our beloved and
fellow-labourer,
2 And to Appia our dearest
sister, and to Archippus
our fellow-soldier, and to the
church which is in thy house.
3 Grace to you, and peace
from God our Father, and
from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give thanks to my God,
always making a remembrance
of thee in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy charity
and faith, which thou hast in
the Lord Jesus, and towards
all the saints:
6 That the communication
of thy faith may be made evident,
in the acknowledgment
of every good work, that is in
you in Christ Jesus.
7 For I have had great joy
and consolation in thy charity:
because the bowels of
the saints have been refreshed
by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore though I might
have much confidence in Christ
Jesus, to command thee that
which is to the purpose:
9 For charity sake I rather
beseech, whereas thou art
such a one, as Paul an old
man, and now also a prisoner
of Jesus Christ:
10 I beseech thee for my
son Onesimus, whom I have
begotten in my bonds,
11 Who heretofore was
unprofitable to thee, but now
profitable both to me and thee,
12 Whom I have sent back
to thee. And do thou receive
him as my own bowels:
13 Whom I would have
retained with me, that in thy
stead he might have ministered
to me in the bands of
the gospel:
14 But without thy counsel
I would do nothing, that
thy good deed might not be
as it were of necessity, but
voluntary.
15 For perhaps he therefore
departed for a season from
thee, that thou mightest receive
him again for ever:
16 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?
17 If therefore thou count
me a partner, receive him as
myself:
18 And if he hath wronged
thee in any thing, or is in
thy debt; put it to my account.
19 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.
20 Yea, brother; may I
enjoy thee in the Lord: refresh
my bowels in the Lord.
21 Trusting in thy obedience,
I have written to thee:
knowing that thou wilt also
do more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me
also a lodging: for I hope
that through your prayers I
shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras,
my fellow-prisoner in
Christ Jesus,
24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas,
and Luke, my fellow-labourers.
25 The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with your
spirit. Amen.
Challoner [1752], THE NEW TESTAMENT OF Our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. Translated out of the Latin Vulgat Diligently compared with the original Greek And first published by the English College of Rhemes, anno 1582. Newly revised, and corrected according to the Clementin Edition of the Scriptures. WITH ANNOTATIONS For clearing up modern Controversies in Religion, and other Difficulties of Holy Writ () [word count] [B12000].
