Study Desk

Paul a prisoner of Iesus Christ, & Timothie our brother vnto Philemon our dearely beloued, and fellow labourer,

And to our beloued Apphia, and Archippus our fellow Souldier, and to the Church in thy house.

Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Iesus Christ.

I thanke my God, making mention of thee alwayes in my prayers,

Hearing of thy loue, and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Iesus, and toward all Saints:

That the communication of thy faith may become effectuall by the acknowledging of euery good thing, which is in you in Christ Iesus.

For wee haue great ioy and consolation in thy loue, because the bowels of the Saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Wherefore, though I might bee much bolde in Christ to enioyne thee that which is conuenient;

Yet for loues sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Iesus Christ.

I beseech thee for my sonne Onesimus, whome I haue begotten in my bonds,

Which in time past was to thee vnprofitable: but now profitable to thee and to me:

Whom I haue sent againe: thou therfore receiue him, that is mine owne bowels.

Whome I would haue reteined with mee, that in thy stead hee might haue ministred vnto me in the bonds of the Gospel.

But without thy minde would I doe nothing, that thy benefite should not bee as it were of necessitie, but willingly.

For perhaps hee therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receiue him for euer:

Not now as a seruant, but aboue a seruant, a brother beloued, specially to mee, but how much more vnto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

If thou count mee therefore a partner, receiue him as my selfe.

If hee hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.

I Paul haue written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I doe not say to thee how thou owest vnto me, euen thine owne selfe besides:

Yea, brother, let mee haue ioy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowles in the Lord.

Hauing confidence in thy obedience, I wrote vnto thee, knowing that thou wilt also doe more then I say.

But withall prepare mee also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be giuen vnto you.

There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Iesus:

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow labourers.

The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a seruant.