Philemon
From Greek and Aramaic Sources
About
A short letter from the Apostle Paul to a faithful Christian named PhileMon.
It was apparently written by the hand of Paul himself around AD 60.
Source
This text is an amalgamation of several different leading sources. However, our proofreading project will soon change this to be a single clear source, the Codex Sinaiticus, one of the oldest and most complete Greek manuscripts dating from the 300s AD.
Translation
- Known and suspected fake words and phrases commonly included in popular translations are
[greyed-out], followed by a link to our spurious texts article. - Alternative translations and editor notes appear [like this].
- Text that’s missing from our source manuscript, but filled in from another source, is marked with [[double brackets]].
- Where text appears to be poetry (or was translated from poetry), we’ve tried to recreate a poetic cadence. Learn more.
- All circumlocutions for God’s Name appear as '[Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”'. You can change this to '[Yahweh]' or “Lord” in your settings.
- Many names use CamelCase to show where they contain references to different Gods, e.g. IsaiAh, JeruSalem, etc. Learn why. You can toggle these on or off in your settings.
- The original texts had no chapter or verse numbers, paragraph breaks, line breaks, margins, punctuation, or capital letters. These are all added for clarity, but be aware that they can sometimes subtly alter the meaning. Learn more.
- Words [inserted] by the translator for clarity are always in [brackets]. These are not part of the original source text. Learn more.
1
1Paul, a prisoner for the sake of the Anointed JesusYeshuaIshoa, and your brother Timothy, to our beloved fellow worker PhileMon, 2our sister ApPhia, our fellow soldier ArcHippus, and to the called ones in your homes:
3May you receive loving care and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord JesusYeshuaIshoa the Anointed One.
4I always give thanks to my God when I mention you in my prayers, 5because I keep hearing about the faith that you have in the Lord JesusYeshuaIshoa, and of the love that you have for all the Holy Ones.
6[And I pray that] we can have a share in the faith that’s in you by telling you more about the good things that we’re doing through the Anointed One.
7For I have felt so much joy and comfort, our brother, over the loving things that you’ve been doing to refresh the hearts of the holy ones! 8And this is the reason why I feel free in the Anointed One to obligate you to do something that would be very becoming…
9Or should I say that I’m encouraging you because of your love, seeing that I am who I am, Paul, an old man — and now a prisoner for the sake of the Anointed JesusYeshuaIshoa!
10The encouragement I wish to offer is regarding my child (someone I’ve become a father to while I’ve been in prison): OneSimon.
11For although he was once useless to you, he has now become useful to both you and me… 12So, I’m returning this one (for whom I care so deeply), to you.
13Actually, I would rather keep him here for myself instead of sending him to you, so he can continue to serve my needs while I’m in the shackles that I’m wearing for the sake of the good news!
14However, I don’t wish to do anything without your consent, because I don’t want any good deed that you may wish to do only happen because you were forced into it…
I’d rather it was something that you really wanted to do!
15Perhaps that’s the reason why he was able to break away from you for a little while? So that you could have him back in this age 16as no longer a slave, but more than a slave… As a beloved brother!
He’s especially that to me, and now much more so to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17So if you consider me a worthy associate, welcome him kindly as you would welcome me. 18And if he did you any wrong, or if he owes you anything, charge it to my account!
19I (Paul) am writing this in my own hand, and telling you that I’ll pay you back… Of course, let me remind you that you already owe me! 20Yes, my brother; may I request some profit from you in the Lord… Please offer me this refreshment in the tender mercies of the Anointed One!
21Now, I’m writing you in full confidence that you’ll go along with my request. And I’m sure that you’ll do even more than what I’ve suggested.
22In addition, prepare a place for me to stay, as I am hoping that, because of all your prayers, I’ll soon be free for your sakes.
23EpaPhras (my fellow captive in the Anointed One) sends you his greetings, as do 24Mark, AristArchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.
25May the loving kindness of the Lord JesusYeshuaIshoa the Anointed One be upon the spirit that you show.
Public Domain
This particular version of the translated text is public domain.
It will soon be replaced with a significantly updated version which will be freely available under a Creative Commons license.