1 Paul, ver. 9;Eph. 3:1;& 4:1;2 Tim. 1:8a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, Phil. 2:25and fellowlabourer,
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Col. 4:17Archippus Phil. 2:25our fellowsoldier, and to Rom. 16:5;1 Cor. 16:19the church in thy house:
3 Eph. 1:2Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 Thanksgiving and prayer
4 Eph. 1:16;1 Thes. 1:2;2 Thes. 1:3I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Eph. 1:15;Col. 1:4Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual Phil. 1:9by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints ver. 20;2 Cor. 7:13;2 Tim. 1:16are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Appeal for Onesimus
8 Wherefore, 1 Thes. 2:6though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, ver. 1and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I beseech thee for my son Col. 4:9Onesimus, 1 Cor. 4:15;Gal. 4:19whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, 1 Cor. 16:17;Phil. 2:30that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; 2 Cor. 9:7that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 Gen. 45:5,8For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, Mat. 23:8;1 Tim. 6:2a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, Col. 3:22both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17 If thou count me therefore 2 Cor. 8:23a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
19 I 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.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: ver. 7refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 2 Cor. 7:16Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for Phil. 1:25;& 2:24I trust that 2 Cor. 1:11through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Col. 1:7;& 4:12Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Acts 12:12,25Marcus, Acts 19:29;& 27:2;Col. 4:10Aristarchus, Col. 4:14Demas, 2 Tim. 4:11Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25 2 Tim. 4:22The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
25 Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.
