Philemon
Chapter 1
Overview
Philemon is a short personal letter written by Paul from prison to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the community of Jesus-followers meeting in Philemon’s home. Paul is sending Onesimus, an enslaved man he deeply loves, back to that household. In a society where slavery was woven into daily life, Paul does not issue a blunt command. Instead, he builds a careful appeal from friendship, shared faith, and moral responsibility. The letter moves from gratitude to a delicate request, then closes with confidence, travel plans, and greetings. Its quiet question is powerful: what happens when love meets an unequal relationship face to face?
1From Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Jesus the Messiah, and from Timothy, our fellow believer. To our dear friend and coworker Philemon,
2to our fellow believer Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier in this work, and to the community of believers that meets in your home.
3May God our Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah show you kindness and give you peace.
4Whenever I mention you in my prayers, I always thank my God,
5because I hear about your love for all God’s people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.
6I pray that the faith you share with others will become active as you recognize every good thing among us that serves the Messiah.
7Your love has brought me great joy and encouragement, because you have brought relief to the hearts of God’s people, my brother in faith.
8Therefore, although my relationship with the Messiah gives me great confidence to order you to do what is right,
9because of love, I would rather appeal to you. I am Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for the sake of Jesus the Messiah.
10I appeal to you for Onesimus, my child. While I have been in chains, I have become like a father to him.
11Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.
12I am sending him back to you—him, my own heart.
13I wanted to keep him with me so that he could serve me in your place while I am imprisoned for announcing the good news.
14But I did not want to do anything without your agreement. I wanted your good deed to be voluntary, not forced.
15Perhaps he was separated from you for a while so that you might have him back forever,
16no longer merely as a slave, but as far more than a slave: a dearly loved brother. He is especially dear to me, but how much more must he be dear to you, both in your human relationship and in your shared life with the Lord.
17So if you consider me your partner, welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me.
18If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I will not even mention that you owe me your very self.
20Yes, my brother in faith, let me receive this benefit from you because of the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Messiah.
21I am writing because I am confident that you will do what I ask. In fact, I know that you will do even more than I say.
22At the same time, prepare a guest room for me. I hope that, through your prayers, I will be given back to all of you.
23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner for the sake of Jesus the Messiah, sends you greetings.
24So do my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
25May the kindness of the Lord Jesus the Messiah be with the spirit of all of you.