Philemon

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

1This letter is from Paul. I am in prison because I serve Jesus Christ. Timothy, our brother, is here with me. I am writing to Philemon, our dear friend who works with us.

2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

2I am also writing to our dear Apphia, and to Archippus, who serves God beside us. And I am writing to the believers who meet in your house.

3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be kind to you and give you peace.

4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

4I thank my God for you. I speak your name every time I pray.

5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

5I hear that you trust the Lord Jesus. I hear that you love all of God's people.

6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

6I pray that sharing your faith will do real good. May you see every good thing we have because we belong to Christ Jesus.

7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

7Your love makes me very glad and gives me comfort. Brother, you have cheered up God's people and made them feel rested.

NoteThe KJV says "bowels" here and in verses 12 and 20. In 1611 that word meant a person's deepest feelings, what we would call the heart.

8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

8Because I belong to Christ, I could be bold and simply tell you what is right to do.

Note"Convenient" in the KJV does not mean easy or handy. It means the right and fitting thing to do.

9Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

9But because I love you, I would rather ask you kindly. I am Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Jesus Christ.

10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

10I am asking you about Onesimus. He is like a son to me. He came to trust Jesus while I was in chains.

11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

11In the past he was no use to you. But now he is useful to you and to me.

12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

12I am sending him back to you. Please welcome him. He is very dear to my heart.

13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

13I would have liked to keep him here with me. He could have helped me in your place while I am in chains for the good news.

14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

14But I did not want to do anything unless you agreed. Then your kind act would be your own choice, not something you had to do.

15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

15Maybe this is why he was away from you for a while. Now you can have him back for good.

16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

16He is not just a slave now. He is more than a slave. He is a dear brother. He is dear to me, and even more dear to you, both as a person and as a fellow believer.

NoteThe KJV word "servant" here means a slave, a person who was owned by someone else and had to work for them.

17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

17You and I work together as partners. So welcome him just as you would welcome me.

18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

18Has he done anything wrong to you? Does he owe you anything? Charge it to me.

19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back. I will not even mention that you owe me your own life.

20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

20Yes, brother, do this kind thing for me, since we both belong to the Lord. Cheer up my heart in Christ.

21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

21I am sure you will do what I ask, so I am writing to you. I know you will do even more than I say.

22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

22One more thing. Please get a guest room ready for me. I hope God will answer your prayers and bring me back to you.

23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

23Epaphras says hello to you. He is in prison with me because we belong to Christ Jesus.

24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

24Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke say hello too. They work together with me.

NoteThe KJV writes Marcus and Lucas. Those are older spellings of the names Mark and Luke.

25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

25May the Lord Jesus Christ be kind to you all. Amen.