Your study library, in one place. Bible Gateway Plus brings trusted resources together to help you understand what you’re reading. Free 7-day trial.
Log In/Sign Up

#
Philemon
New King James Version

### Greeting

1 Paul, a (A)prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to [a]the beloved Apphia, (B)Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

### Philemon’s Love and Faith

4 (C)I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 (D)hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective (E)by the acknowledgment of (F)every good thing which is in [b]you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we [c]have great [d]joy and [e]consolation in your love, because the [f]hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

### The Plea for Onesimus

8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— 10 I appeal to you for my son (G)Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

12 I am sending him [g]back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own [h]heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, (H)that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the (I)flesh and in the Lord.

### Philemon’s Obedience Encouraged

17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own (J)hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

21 (K)Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for (L)I trust that (M)through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

### Farewell

23 (N)Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do (O)Mark, (P)Aristarchus, (Q)Demas, (R)Luke, my fellow laborers.

25 (S)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

#### Footnotes

1. Philemon 1:2 NU our sister Apphia
2. Philemon 1:6 NU, M us
3. Philemon 1:7 NU had
4. Philemon 1:7 M thanksgiving
5. Philemon 1:7 comfort
6. Philemon 1:7 Lit. inward parts, heart, liver, and lungs
7. Philemon 1:12 NU back to you in person, that is, my own heart,
8. Philemon 1:12 See v. 7.

#### Cross references

1. Philemon 1:1 : Eph. 3:1
2. Philemon 1:2 : Col. 4:17
3. Philemon 1:4 : Eph. 1:16; 1 Thess. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:3
4. Philemon 1:5 : Eph. 1:15; Col. 1:4; 1 Thess. 3:6
5. Philemon 1:6 : Phil. 1:9; [Col. 1:9; 3:10; James 2:14–17]
6. Philemon 1:6 : [1 Thess. 5:18]
7. Philemon 1:10 : Col. 4:9
8. Philemon 1:14 : 2 Cor. 9:7; 1 Pet. 5:2
9. Philemon 1:16 : Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22
10. Philemon 1:19 : 1 Cor. 16:21; Gal. 6:11; 2 Thess. 3:17
11. Philemon 1:21 : 2 Cor. 7:16
12. Philemon 1:22 : Phil. 1:25; 2:24
13. Philemon 1:22 : 2 Cor. 1:11
14. Philemon 1:23 : Col. 1:7; 4:12
15. Philemon 1:24 : Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37–39; Col. 4:10
16. Philemon 1:24 : Acts 19:29; 27:2; Col. 4:10
17. Philemon 1:24 : Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:10
18. Philemon 1:24 : 2 Tim. 4:11
19. Philemon 1:25 : 2 Tim. 4:22

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, The Prayer Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $35.99
Save: $24.00 (40%)
Buy Now
NKJV Study Bible, Full-Color, Comfort Print: The Complete Resource for Studying God’s Word
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, The Bible Study Bible, Comfort Print: A Study Guide for Every Chapter of the Bible
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, Woman's Study Bible, Red Letter, Full-Color: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People
Retail: $19.98
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $5.99 (30%)
Buy Now
View more titles