Philemon 1

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul, "a prisoner of Jesus Christ," thanks God for Philemon's love and faith. He then appeals "for love's sake" for Onesimus, who had become Paul's son in the faith while Paul was in bonds, asking Philemon to receive him back "not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved." Paul offers to repay any debt himself. Philemon 1:1 Philemon 1:5 Philemon 1:9 Philemon 1:10 Philemon 1:16 Philemon 1:18 Philemon 1:19

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

Paul writes with Timothy to Philemon, "our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer," to Apphia and Archippus, and to the church in Philemon's house. The letter is about Onesimus. Philemon 1:1 Philemon 1:2 Philemon 1:10

Where

Paul writes from prison; the letter does not name the city, and Rome is the traditional view. Philemon lived at Colossae, which Colossians 4:9 links to Onesimus, "who is one of you." Philemon 1:9 Philemon overview Colossians 4:9

When

Traditionally about AD 60-62, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome. Some scholars place the imprisonment at Ephesus or Caesarea instead. Philemon overview

How it fits

This is a one-chapter letter. Colossians 4:9 sends Onesimus back as "a faithful and beloved brother." Colossians 4:9 Philemon overview

Key verses

Verse 9
Though Paul "might be much bold in Christ to enjoin" Philemon, "yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee." Philemon 1:8 Philemon 1:9 Philemon 1:14
Verse 16
Onesimus is to be received "not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved... both in the flesh, and in the Lord." Philemon 1:15 Philemon 1:16 Philemon 1:17
Verse 18
"If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account... I will repay it." Paul takes the debt on himself. Philemon 1:18 Philemon 1:19

Takeaway

In Christ a servant becomes "a brother beloved." Receive one another as family, and be willing, as Paul was, to take on another's debt for love's sake. Philemon 1:9 Philemon 1:16 Philemon 1:17 Philemon 1:18

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.

Greeting

¹Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, ²And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: ³Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanks for Philemon's love and faith

⁴I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, ⁵Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; ⁶That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. ⁷For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

An appeal for Onesimus

⁸Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, ⁹Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. ¹⁰I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: ¹¹Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: ¹²Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: ¹³Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: ¹⁴But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. ¹⁵For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; ¹⁶Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? ¹⁷If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. ¹⁸If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; ¹⁹I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. ²⁰Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. ²¹Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

A lodging, greetings and grace

²²But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. ²³There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; ²⁴Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. ²⁵The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.