The Letter to Philemon

The Letter to Philemon is a short and deeply personal letter that addresses the theme of Christian reconciliation and the radical equality of all believers in Christ. Paul writes to a wealthy Christian to ask for the forgiveness and the acceptance of a runaway slave who has become a brother in the faith. We see the power of the Gospel to transcend social boundaries and to transform relationships from one of ownership to one of mutual love. This book teaches us that in Christ there is a new way of relating to one another that is based on the mercy of the Lord.

The narrative focuses on the concept of partnership in the Gospel and the willingness to take on the debts and the burdens of one another. We witness Paul's delicate and persuasive approach as he appeals to Philemon's own experience of grace and his love for the saints. This letter serves as moving evidence of the practical impact of the Gospel on the social structures of the ancient world. The Letter to Philemon encourages us to seek reconciliation in our own relationships and to welcome one another as we would welcome the Savior Himself.

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Chapters

Chapter 1

¹Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow laborer, ? ²and to Apphia, most beloved sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in your house. ? ³Grace and peace to you, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ? ⁴I give thanks to my God, always keeping remembrance of you in my prayers, ? ⁵(for I am hearing of your charity and faith, which you have in the Lord Jesus and with all the saints) ? ⁶so that the participation of your faith may become evident by the recognition of every good work which is in you in Christ Jesus. ? ⁷For I have found great joy and consolation in your charity, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. ? ⁸Because of this, I have enough confidence in Christ Jesus to command you concerning certain things, ? ⁹but I beg you instead, for the sake of charity, since you are so much like Paul: an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. ? ¹⁰I beg you, on behalf of my son, whom I have begotten in my chains, Onesimus. ? ¹¹In times past, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to me and to you. ? ¹²So I have sent him back to you. And may you receive him like my own heart. ? ¹³I myself wanted to retain him with me, so that he might minister to me, on your behalf, while I am in the chains of the Gospel. ? ¹⁴But I was willing to do nothing without your counsel, so as not to make use of your good deed as if out of necessity, but only willingly. ? ¹⁵So perhaps, then, he departed from you for a time, so that you might receive him again for eternity, ? ¹⁶no longer as a servant, but, in place of a servant, a most beloved brother, especially to me: but how much so more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord! ? ¹⁷Therefore, if you hold me to be a companion, receive him as you would me. ? ¹⁸But if he has harmed you in any way, or if he is in your debt, charge it to me. ? ¹⁹I, Paul, have written this with my own hand: I will repay. And I need not tell you, that you are also in debt yourself, to me. ? ²⁰So it is, brother. May I delight with you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. ? ²¹I have written to you, trusting in your obedience, knowing, too, that you will do even more than what I say. ? ²²But also, at once, prepare a lodging for me. For I am hoping, through your prayers, to present myself to you. ? ²³Greet Epaphras, my fellow captive in Christ Jesus, ? ²⁴and Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my helpers. ? ²⁵May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. ?