# Bible (Berean Standard)/Philemon

Greetings from Paul and Timothy
(Philippians 1:1–2; Colossians 1:1–2)
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our beloved fellow worker, $^2$ to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your house:
$^3$ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon’s Faith and Love
$^4$ I always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers, $^5$ because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. $^6$ I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ. $^7$ I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
$^8$ So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper, $^9$ I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.
$^{10}$ I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains. $^{11}$ Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. $^{12}$ I am sending back to you him who is my very heart.
$^{13}$ I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel. $^{14}$ But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will. $^{15}$ For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— $^{16}$ no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.
$^{17}$ So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. $^{18}$ But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account. $^{19}$ I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.
$^{20}$ Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
$^{21}$ Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
$^{22}$ In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
Additional Greetings
$^{23}$ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings, $^{24}$ as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
$^{25}$ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

## Footnotes

* ↑ 1:2 You and Your are singular throughout this letter, except in verses 3, 22, and 25.
* ↑ 1:10 Onesimus means useful (see verse 11) or beneficial (see verse 20).
* ↑ 1:20 Greek onaimēn, a play on the name Onesimus
* ↑ 1:25 BYZ and TR include Amen.
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