1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Saving Messiah}, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved {agapetos: deeply valued} and fellow worker,
2 And to Apphia our sister {adelphē: spiritual family member}, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church {ekklēsia: local house gathering} in your house.
3 Grace to you and peace from God {Theos, Source Of Blessing} our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ {Kyrios Iesous Christos, Mediating Lord Of Peace}.
4 I give thanks to my God {Theos, Source Of Thanksgiving} always, making mention of you in my prayers {proseuche: earnest petitions}.
5 Hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus {Kyrios Iesous, Faithful Lord} and toward all the saints {hagios: devoted believers}.
6 So that the fellowship {koinonia: active participation} of your faith may become effective in the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ {Christos, Supreme Aim}.
7 For I have had great joy {chara: overflowing gladness} and comfort because of your love, since the inmost parts of the holy ones have been refreshed through you, brother {adelphos: close spiritual family member}.
8 Therefore, though I have much boldness in Christ {Christos, Ground Of Boldness}, to command you what is proper {anekon: morally fitting obligation}.
9 Yet for love’s {agapen: self-giving devotion} sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Suffering Lord}.
10 I appeal {parakalō: earnest request} to you concerning my child {teknon: spiritual offspring}, whom I begot in chains, Onesimus.
11 The one who was formerly {pote: earlier time} useless to you, but now is useful {euchreston: beneficial in service} both to you and to me.
12 Whom I have sent back {anapempo: send again} to you—him, that is my very heart {splanchna: deep affection}.
13 Whom I {ego: emphatic speaker Paul} was wishing to keep with me for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my chains for the gospel {euangelion: saving message}.
14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, so that your good {agathon: beneficial act} might not be as though by compulsion {ananke: external pressure}, but rather according to free will.
15 For perhaps {tacha: humble suggestion}, because of this he was separated for a while, so that you might have him back forever {aionion: lasting relationship}.
16 No longer as a slave, but more than a slave—a beloved brother {adelphos: Christian family bond}, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord {Kyrios, Shared Spiritual Master}.
17 Therefore, if you regard me as a partner {koinonon: shared participant}, extend {proslabou: warmly welcome} to him the same reception you give me.
18 But if he has wronged {edikesen: committed an offense} you in anything, or owes {opheilei: is indebted} you, charge this to me.
19 I, Paul, wrote this with my own hand {cheiri: personal handwriting}; I will repay it, so that I do not say to you that you also owe me your very self {seauton: entire life}.
20 Yes, brother, may I have benefit from you in the Lord {Kyrios, Covenant Lord}. Refresh my heart in Christ {Christos, Uniting Messiah}.
21 Having confidence in your obedience {hupakoe: attentive hearing and response}, I wrote to you, knowing that you will also do more than what I say {poieo: carry out, accomplish}.
22 Also, please arrange a place {xenian: hospitable lodging} for me to stay, for I expect that, through your prayers, I will be granted {charisthesomai: favorably given} to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner {synaichmalotos: companion in captivity} in Christ Jesus {Christo Iesou: Anointed Savior}, greets you.
24 Mark, Aristarchus {Aristarchos: named coworker}, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers {synergoi: shared ministry team}.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Grace-Giving Lord} be with your spirit {pneuma: inner person}.