1Paul , a prisoner of Christ Jesus , and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker, 2and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house : 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ . 4I thank my God always , making mention of thee in my prayers , 5hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus , and toward all the saints; 6that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual , in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you , unto Christ . 7For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
The Appeal for Onesimus
8Wherefore , though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting, 9yet for love’s sake I rather beseech , being such a one as Paul the aged , and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus : 10I beseech thee for my child , whom I have begotten in my bonds , Onesimus , 11who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me : 12whom I have sent back to thee in his own person , that is , my very heart : 13whom I would fain have kept with me , that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel : 14but without thy mind I would do nothing ; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will . 15For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season , that thou shouldest have him for ever; 16no longer as a servant , but more than a servant , a brother beloved, specially to me , but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord .
Paul's Personal Touch
17If then thou countest me a partner , receive him as myself . 18But if he hath wronged thee at all , or oweth thee aught, put that to mine account ; 19I Paul write it with mine own hand , I will repay it : that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides . 20Yea , brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord : refresh my heart in Christ . 21Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say .
Conclusion and Final Greetings
22But withal prepare me also a lodging : for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you . 23Epaphras , my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus , saluteth thee; 24and so do Mark , Aristarchus, Demas , Luke , my fellow-workers. 25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit . Amen.