1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,[ † ]Ephesians 3:1 2and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:[ † ]Colossians 4:17 3grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,[ † ]Ephesians 1:161 Thessalonians 1:22 Thessalonians 1:3 5hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;[ † ]Ephesians 1:15Colossians 1:41 Thessalonians 3:6 6that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.[ † ]Philippians 1:9Colossians 1:9Colossians 3:10James 2:14-171 Thessalonians 5:18 7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 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. 10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:[ † ]Colossians 4:9 11which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 13whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14but without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.[ † ]2 Corinthians 9:71 Peter 5:2 15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 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?[ † ]Ephesians 6:5Colossians 3:22 17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 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.[ † ]1 Corinthians 16:21Galatians 6:112 Thessalonians 3:17 20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.[ † ]2 Corinthians 7:16 22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.[ † ]Philippians 1:25Philippians 2:242 Corinthians 1:11
23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;[ † ]Colossians 1:7Colossians 4:12 24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.[ † ]Acts 12:12-25Acts 15:37-39Colossians 4:10Acts 19:29Acts 27:2Colossians 4:142 Timothy 4:102 Timothy 4:11
25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.[ † ]2 Timothy 4:22