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Philemon Chapter 1

King James Version (KJV)

Other Translations

asv (asv) - eBible.org engASV USFM

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,
2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,
5 hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.
7 For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,
9 yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:
10 I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
11 who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:
12 whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:
13 whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.
15 For perhaps he was therefore parted
16 from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;
17 no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
18 If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
19 But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth
20 thee aught, put that to mine account;
21 I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.
22 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.
23 Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.
24 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.
25 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;

darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext

1 Paul, prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother, to Philemon the beloved and our fellow-workman,
2 and to the sister Apphia and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the assembly which [is] in thine house.
3 Grace to you and peace fromGod our Father, and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank myGod, always making mention of thee at my prayers,
5 hearing of thy love and the faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and towards all the saints,
6 in such sort that thy participation in the faith should become operative in the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in us towards Christ [Jesus].
7 For we have great thankfulness and encouragement through thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore having much boldness in Christ to enjoin thee what is fitting,
9 for love's sake I rather exhort, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I exhort thee for my child, whom I have begotten in [my] bonds, Onesimus,
11 once unserviceable to thee, but now serviceable to thee and to me:
12 whom I have sent back to thee: [but do thou receive] him, that is, my bowels:
13 whom I was desirous of keeping with myself, that for thee he might minister to me in the bonds of the glad tidings;
14 but I have wished to do nothing without thy mind, that thy good might not be as of necessity but of willingness:
15 for perhaps for this reason he has been separated [from thee] for a time, that thou mightest possess him fully for ever;
16 not any longer as a bondman, but above a bondman, a beloved brother, specially to me, and how much rather to thee, both in [the] flesh and in [the] Lord?
17 If therefore thou holdest me to be a partner [with thee], receive him as me;
18 but if he have wronged thee anything or owe anything [to thee], put this to my account.
19 I Paul have written [it] with mine own hand; I will repay [it]: that I say not to thee that thou owest even thine own self also to me.
20 Yea, brother, I would have profit of thee in [the] Lord: refresh my bowels in Christ.
21 Being confident of thine obedience, I have written to thee, knowing that thou wilt do even more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging; for I hope that I shall be granted to you through your prayers.
23 Epaphras salutes thee, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workmen.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit.

vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)

1 Paulus vinctus Christi Iesu, et Timotheus frater: Philemoni dilecto, et adiutori nostro,
2 et Appiæ sorori charissimæ, et Archippo commilitoni nostro, et Ecclesiæ, quæ in domo tua est.
3 Gratia vobis, et pax a Deo Patre nostro, et Domino Iesu Christo.
4 Gratias ago Deo meo, semper memoriam tui faciens in orationibus meis,
5 audiens charitatem tuam, et fidem, quam habes in Domino Iesu, et in omnes sanctos:
6 ut communicatio fidei tuæ evidens fiat in agnitione omnis operis boni, quod est in vobis in Christo Iesu.
7 Gaudium enim magnum habui, et consolationem in charitate tua: quia viscera sanctorum requieverunt per te, frater.
8 Propter quod multam fiduciam habens in Christo Iesu imperandi tibi quod ad rem pertinet:
9 propter charitatem magis obsecro, cum sis talis, ut Paulus senex, nunc autem et vinctus Iesu Christi:
10 Obsecro te pro meo filio, quem genui in vinculis, Onesimo,
11 qui tibi aliquando inutilis fuit, nunc autem et mihi, et tibi utilis,
12 quem remisi tibi. Tu autem illum, ut mea viscera, suscipe:
13 quem ego volueram mecum detinere, ut pro te mihi ministraret in vinculis Evangelii:
14 sine consilio autem tuo nihil volui facere, uti ne velut ex necessitate bonum tuum esset, sed voluntarium.
15 Forsitan enim ideo discessit ad horam a te, ut æternum illum reciperes:
16 iam non ut servum, sed pro servo charissimum fratrem, maxime mihi: quanto autem magis tibi et in carne, et in Domino?
17 Si ergo habes me socium, suscipe illum sicut me:
18 Si autem aliquid nocuit tibi, aut debet: hoc mihi imputa.
19 Ego Paulus scripsi mea manu: ego reddam, ut non dicam tibi, quod et teipsum mihi debes:
20 ita frater. Ego te fruar in Domino: Refice viscera mea in Domino.
21 Confidens in obedientia tua scripsi tibi: sciens quoniam et super id, quod dico, facies.
22 Simul autem et para mihi hospitium: nam spero per orationes vestras donari me vobis.
23 Salutat te Epaphras concaptivus meus in Christo Iesu,
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, et Lucas, adiutores mei.
25 Gratia Domini nostri Iesu Christi cum spiritu vestro. Amen.

web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,
2 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
5 hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8 Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,
9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have become the father of in my chains,
11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.
12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.
15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while that you would have him forever,
16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
18 But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account.
19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to 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 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

wh1881 (wh1881) - Westcott-Hort Greek NT 1881 eBible USFM

1 παυλος δεσμιος χριστου ιησου και τιμοθεος ο αδελφος φιλημονι τω αγαπητω και συνεργω ημων
2 και απφια τη αδελφη και αρχιππω τω συστρατιωτη ημων και τη κατ οικον σου εκκλησια
3 χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη απο θεου πατρος ημων και κυριου ιησου χριστου
4 ευχαριστω τω θεω μου παντοτε μνειαν σου ποιουμενος επι των προσευχων μου
5 ακουων σου την αγαπην και την πιστιν ην εχεις εις τον κυριον ιησουν και εις παντας τους αγιους
6 οπως η κοινωνια της πιστεως σου ενεργης γενηται εν επιγνωσει παντος αγαθου [του] εν ημιν εις χριστον
7 χαραν γαρ πολλην εσχον και παρακλησιν επι τη αγαπη σου οτι τα σπλαγχνα των αγιων αναπεπαυται δια σου αδελφε
8 διο πολλην εν χριστω παρρησιαν εχων επιτασσειν σοι το ανηκον
9 δια την αγαπην μαλλον παρακαλω τοιουτος ων ως παυλος πρεσβυτης νυνι δε και δεσμιος χριστου ιησου
10 παρακαλω σε περι του εμου τεκνου ον εγεννησα εν τοις δεσμοις ονησιμον
11 τον ποτε σοι αχρηστον νυνι δε σοι και εμοι ευχρηστον
12 ον ανεπεμψα σοι αυτον τουτ εστιν τα εμα σπλαγχνα
13 ον εγω εβουλομην προς εμαυτον κατεχειν ινα υπερ σου μοι διακονη εν τοις δεσμοις του ευαγγελιου
14 χωρις δε της σης γνωμης ουδεν ηθελησα ποιησαι ινα μη ως κατα αναγκην το αγαθον σου η αλλα κατα εκουσιον
15 ταχα γαρ δια τουτο εχωρισθη προς ωραν ινα αιωνιον αυτον απεχης
16 ουκετι ως δουλον αλλα υπερ δουλον αδελφον αγαπητον μαλιστα εμοι ποσω δε μαλλον σοι και εν σαρκι και εν κυριω
17 ει ουν με εχεις κοινωνον προσλαβου αυτον ως εμε
18 ει δε τι ηδικησεν σε η οφειλει τουτο εμοι ελλογα
19 εγω παυλος εγραψα τη εμη χειρι εγω αποτισω ινα μη λεγω σοι οτι και σεαυτον μοι προσοφειλεις
20 ναι αδελφε εγω σου οναιμην εν κυριω αναπαυσον μου τα σπλαγχνα εν χριστω
21 πεποιθως τη υπακοη σου εγραψα σοι ειδως οτι και υπερ α λεγω ποιησεις
22 αμα δε και ετοιμαζε μοι ξενιαν ελπιζω γαρ οτι δια των προσευχων υμων χαρισθησομαι υμιν
23 ασπαζεται σε επαφρας ο συναιχμαλωτος μου εν χριστω ιησου
24 μαρκος αρισταρχος δημας λουκας οι συνεργοι μου
25 η χαρις του κυριου ιησου χριστου μετα του πνευματος υμων

ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,
2 and Apphia the beloved, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and the assembly in thy house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!
4 I give thanks to my God, always making mention of thee in my prayers,
5 hearing of thy love and faith that thou hast unto the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become working in the full knowledge of every good thing that <FI>is<Fi> in you toward Christ Jesus;
7 for we have much joy and comfort in thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, having in Christ much boldness to command thee that which is fit--
9 because of the love I rather entreat, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ;
10 I entreat thee concerning my child--whom I did beget in my bonds--Onesimus,
11 who once was to thee unprofitable, and now is profitable to me and to thee,
12 whom I did send again, and thou him (that is, my own bowels) receive,
13 whom I did wish to retain to myself, that in thy behalf he might minister to me in the bonds of the good news,
14 and apart from thy mind I willed to do nothing, that as of necessity thy good deed may not be, but of willingness,
15 for perhaps because of this he did depart for an hour, that age-duringly thou mayest have him,
16 no more as a servant, but above a servant--a brother beloved, especially to me, and how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord!
17 If, then, with me thou hast fellowship, receive him as me,
18 and if he did hurt to thee, or doth owe anything, this to me be reckoning;
19 I, Paul did write with my hand, I--I will repay; that I may not say that also thyself, besides, to me thou dost owe.
20 Yes, brother, may I have profit of thee in the Lord; refresh my bowels in the Lord;
21 having been confident in thy obedience I did write to thee, having known that also above what I may say thou wilt do;
22 and at the same time also prepare for me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
23 Salute thee doth Epaphras, (my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus,)
24 Markus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lukas, my fellow-workmen!
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ <FI>is<Fi> with your spirit! Amen.

Explanations by Age Level

Explain Like I'm 5

A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!

Explain Like I'm 10

Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.

Explain Like I'm 15

Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).