11 I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work - 2 also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house. 3 God's best to you! Christ's blessings on you!
4 Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!" 5 I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other Christians. 6 And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it. 7 Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.
8 In line with all this I have a favor to ask of you. As Christ's ambassador and now a prisoner for him, I wouldn't hesitate to command this if I thought it necessary, 9 but I'd rather make it a personal request. 10 While here in jail, I've fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter - Onesimus! 11 He was useless to you before; now he's useful to both of us. 12 I'm sending him back to you, but it feels like I'm cutting off my right arm in doing so. 13 I wanted in the worst way to keep him here as your stand-in to help out while I'm in jail for the Message. 14 But I didn't want to do anything behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn't willingly agreed to. 15 Maybe it's all for the best that you lost him for a while. You're getting him back now for good - 16 and no mere slave this time, but a true Christian brother! That's what he was to me - he'll be even more than that to you. 17 So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me. 18 If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account. 19 This is my personal signature - Paul - and I stand behind it. (I don't need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very life to me?) 20 Do me this big favor, friend. You'll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good. 21 I know you well enough to know you will. You'll probably go far beyond what I've written. 22 And by the way, get a room ready for me. Because of your prayers, I fully expect to be your guest again.
23 Epaphras, my cellmate in the cause of Christ, says hello. 24 Also my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. 25 All the best to you from the Master, Jesus Christ!
11 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, [1] To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, [2] to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 When I remember you [3] in my prayers, I always thank my God 5 because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we [4] may do for Christ. 7 I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.
8 For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, 9 yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love-and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. [5] 10 I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful [6] both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 One thing more-prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, [7] 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. [8]
