Philemon 1

Philemon · Chapter 1

Philemon 1:22

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.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.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.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.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul has just finished his appeal for Onesimus and said he trusts Philemon will do even more than he asks. Now he adds one more request: get a guest room ready for me. He hopes that through the prayers of Philemon and the church in his house he will be released from prison and come to them. Philemon 1:21Philemon 1:22Philemon 1:1Philemon 1:2

SpeakingPaul, who calls himself "a prisoner of Jesus Christ," writing with Timothy. Philemon 1:1Philemon 1:9Philemon overview

ToThe request for lodging is made to Philemon. The "your prayers" and "unto you" take in the wider group named at the start: Apphia, Archippus and the church that met in Philemon's house. Philemon 1:1Philemon 1:2Philemon 1:22Philemon overview

Paul asks Philemon to prepare a place for him to stay. He gives the reason: he trusts that, through their prayers, he will be "given" to them, that is, freed and allowed to visit. Philemon 1:22Strong's G3578Strong's G5483

Paul writes from prison, and the letter does not name the city. Rome is the traditional view. The lodging would be at Philemon's home, traditionally placed at Colossae in the province of Asia. Philemon overviewPhilemon 1:2

ASIAGALATIAPHRYGIAAegean SeaColossaeLaodiceaHierapolisEphesusMiletus

The eventsPaul writes while in prison, near the close of the letter, after making his appeal for Onesimus. The visit is something he hopes for in the future. The text does not say whether it happened. Philemon 1:9Philemon 1:10Philemon 1:22Philemon overview

WrittenTraditional view: about AD 60-62, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome, at the same time as Colossians. Scholarly view: nearly all accept Paul wrote it, but some place the imprisonment at Ephesus (about AD 54-55) or Caesarea (about AD 57-59). Philemon overview

HerePaul wants Philemon to expect him in person. He makes the request straight after saying he is confident Philemon will obey. The verse itself does not say why he raises the visit at this point. Philemon 1:21Philemon 1:22

In the whole of ScripturePaul often hopes to be freed and to see the churches again. He believes that the prayers of believers play a part in what God does. He says much the same to the Philippians: "this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer" and "I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly." Philippians 1:19Philippians 1:25Philippians 2:242 Corinthians 1:11

For readersThe verse shows Paul treating the prayers of an ordinary house church as truly mattering. It also shows him planning ahead with hope while still in chains. Scripture elsewhere urges believers to "pray one for another" because such prayer "availeth much." Philemon 1:22James 5:162 Corinthians 1:11

  • lodgingξενία
    Greek · xenia · G3578

    The word can mean hospitality in general or a place where a guest stays. The same word is used for Paul's lodging in Rome in Acts 28:23. Strong's G3578Acts 28:23

  • I shall be givenχαρίζω
    Greek · charizō · G5483

    This verb means to show favour or to give freely. Elsewhere it can mean to forgive freely. Paul pictures his release as something freely granted, given as a gift to the church in answer to prayer. Strong's G5483Philemon 1:22

  • I trustἐλπίζω
    Greek · elpizō · G1679

    The word means to look for, expect or hope. Paul uses it in the same way when he hopes to visit or send someone (Philippians 2:19, 23). It voices confident hope, not a fixed promise. Strong's G1679Philippians 2:24

  • prayersπροσευχή
    Greek · proseuchē · G4335

    This is the ordinary word for prayer to God. It is the same word Paul used at the start for his own prayers for Philemon (verse 4). The letter opens with Paul praying for them and closes with him relying on their prayers for him. Strong's G4335Philemon 1:4Philemon 1:22

Takeaway

From prison, Paul asks for a guest room because he expects God to answer the church's prayers and free him. Hope, prayer and practical planning go together in this verse. Philemon 1:22Philippians 1:19Philippians 2:24

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-23.

The world around the text

Behind this verse

Guest rooms
Travellers preferred to stay with friends rather than at inns. Paul asks Philemon to get a room ready, hoping to be released. Philemon 1:22Philippians 1:25-26Romans 12:13

About AD 60-62. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Philemon and the church in his house lived. A small town in the Lycus valley of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia, about 190 km (120 miles) east of Ephesus.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68

    Emperor over Rome, Asia and Judea. Paul, a Roman citizen, had appealed to Caesar, who in these years was Nero. Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:16Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16

  • Governor of the province where Colossae stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul appointed for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. Acts 19:38Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • Governor of Judea and Jewish client kingFestus and Agrippa IIc. AD 59-62; c. AD 50-90s

    Festus and King Agrippa heard Paul's defense in Caesarea and sent him on to Rome as he had asked. Acts 25:12Acts 25:23-26:32

What was happening, AD 58 to AD 64
  1. AD 58-63
    WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia

    Roman armies under Corbulo campaigned in Armenia until the two empires made peace in AD 63. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31

  2. c. AD 59-60
    The churchPaul's voyage to Rome

    Paul sailed for Rome as a prisoner, was shipwrecked on Malta, and reached Rome the following spring. Acts 27:1-28:16

  3. AD 60
    DisasterEarthquake in the Lycus valley

    An earthquake ruined Laodicea, about 16 km (10 miles) from Colossae; Laodicea rebuilt without Rome's help. A later Christian historian says Hierapolis and Colossae fell in the same disaster. Tacitus, Annals 14.27Orosius, History Against the Pagans 7.7.12Colossians 4:13

  4. AD 60-61
    WarBoudica's revolt in Britain

    Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Colchester, London and St Albans before the Romans defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39

  5. c. AD 60-62
    The churchPaul under guard in Rome

    Paul lived two whole years in his own rented house, guarded by a soldier, receiving all who came to him. Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians are traditionally dated to these years. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31Philippians 1:13

  6. AD 61
    RulersA slave-owner's murder shakes Rome

    When the city prefect Pedanius Secundus was killed by one of his slaves, the Senate upheld the old law that all 400 slaves of his household be executed, despite protests from the crowd. Tacitus, Annals 14.42-45

  7. AD 62
    The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed

    Between governors, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" stoned in Jerusalem. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19

  8. AD 64
    The churchFire in Rome, and Nero blames the Christians

    After a great fire burned much of Rome, Nero blamed the Christians and put a "vast multitude" to death. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-44Suetonius, Nero 16.2

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient writers on these years and places (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Strabo, Herodotus, Pliny, Roman law). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
At the same timeἅμαhamaG0260
together

ἅμα (hama) ἅμα adv., at once (Lat. simul): Act.24:26 27:40, Rom.3:12 (one and all = יַחַד, Psa.14:3), Col.4:3, 1Ti.5:13, Phm 22; before σύν, 1Th.4:17 5:10; as prep. with dative, together with: Mat.13:29 (see MM, VGT, see word); also, with adv., ἅ. πρωΐ (cl., ἅ. ἕω, etc.), early in the morning: Mat.20:1.† (AS)

nowδὲdeG1161
then

δέ (de) δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; 1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; …

alsoκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. …

do prepareἑτοίμαζέhetoimazeG2090
to make ready

ἑτοιμάζω (hetoimazō) ἑτοιμάζω (ἕτοιμος), [in LXX chiefly for כּוּן hi. (Hatch, Essays, 51 a.) ;] to prepare, make ready; (a) absol., of hospitable preparation: Mrk.14:15, Luk.9:52 12:47 22:9, 12; with inf., Mat.26:17; ἵνα, Mrk.14:12; …

for meμοιmoiG3165
me

μέ (me) 1. apostrophe for με. 2. rarely for μοι, (Homer) (ML)

a lodging;ξενίαν·xenianG3578
lodging

ξενία (xenia) ξενία, -ας, ἡ (ξένος), [in LXX: Sir.29:27 Bl* ;] hospitality, enter­tainment: Phm 22 (cf. ICC, in l, but see infr.). By meton., a place of entertainment, a lodging-place: Act.28:23, and so perh. Phm 22 (Lft., in l, Phi., p. 9; but see supr., and cf. MM, xvii).† (AS)

I hopeἐλπίζωelpizōG1679
to hope/expect

ἐλπίζω (elpizō) ἐλπίζω [in LXX chiefly for בָּטַח, also for חָסָה, יָחַל pi., hi., etc. ;] to look for, expect, hope (for): with accusative of thing(s), Rom.8:24-25, 1Co.13:7, Heb.11:1; with dative of thing(s) (τ. τύχῃ, Thuc., iii, 97, 2), Mat.12:21; before καθώς, 2Co.8:5; with inf., Luk.6:34 23:8, Act.26:7, Rom.15:24, 1Co.16:7, 2Co.5:11, Php.2:19, 23, 1Ti.3:14, II Jn 12, 3Jn.14; before ὅτι, with pres., Luk.24:21; with fut., Act.24:26, 2Co.1:13 13:6, Phm 22. As in LXX (WM, § xxxiii, d; and esp. in the pf., Ellic. on 1Ti.4:10; Bl., § 59, 2), with prep.; εἰς, Jhn.5:45 (see Ellis., l.with), 1Pe.3:5; before ὅτι …

forγὰρgarG1063
for

γάρ (gar) γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; 1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. 2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. …

thatὅτιhotiG3754G
that/since: that

ὅτι (hoti) ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; 1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. 2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; …

throughδιὰdiaG1223
through/because of

διά (dia) διά (before a vowel δ᾽, exc. Rom.8:10, 2Co.5:7, and in (Proper name)s; Tdf., Pr., 94), prep. with genitive, accusative, as in cl.; 1. with genitive, through; (i) of Place, after verbs of motion or action: Mat.2:12 12:43, Mrk.2:23, Luk.4:30, Jhn.4:4, 2Co.11:33, al.; σώζεσθαι (διας-) δ. πυρός, ὕδατος, 1Co.3:15, 1Pe.3:20; βλέπειν δ. ἐσόπτρου, 1Co.13:12; metaphorically, of a state or condition: Rom.14:20, 2Co.2:4 5:7, 10; δ. γράμματος, ἀκροβυστίας (Lft., Notes, 263, 279), Rom.2:27 4:11; δι ̓ὑπομενῆς, Rom.8:25. (ii) Of Time; …

prayersπροσευχῶνproseuchōnG4335
prayer

προσευχή (proseuchē) προσ-ευχή, -ῆς, ἡ (προσεύχομαι), [in LXX chiefly for תְּפִלָּה ;] 1. prayer to God: Mat.17:21 (WH, R, txt., om.) Mat.21:22, Mrk.9:29, Luk.22:45, Act.3:1 6:4 10:31, Rom.12:12, 1Co.7:5, Col.4:2; pl., Act.2:42 10:4, Rom.1:10, Eph.1:16 Col.4:12, 1Th.1:2, Phm 4 22, 1Pe.3:7 4:7, Rev.5:8 8:3-4; οἶκος προσευχῆς, Mat.21:13, Mrk.11:17, Luk.19:46" (LXX) ; π. καὶ δέησις, Eph.6:18, Php.4:6; pl., 1Ti.2:1 5:5; ἡ π. τοῦ θεοῦ, prayer to God (ef. Wis.16:28), Luk.6:12; πρὸς τ. θεόν, before ὑπέρ, Act.12:5; pl., Rom.15:30; Hebraistically (B1., § 38, 3), προσευχῇ προσεύχεσθαι, Jas.5:17 (EV, prayed fervently). …

of youὑμῶνhumōnG4771
you

σέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

I will be grantedχαρισθήσομαιcharisthēsomaiG5483
to give grace

χαρίζω (charizō) χαρίζομαι (χάρις), [in LXX: Est.8:7 (נָתַן), Sng.1:4 א, Sir.12:3, 2 -4Ma.9:1-32 * ;] 1. to show favour or kindness: with dative of person(s), Gal.3:18. 2. to give freely, bestow: with accusative and dative, Luk.7:21, Act.3:14 25:11, 16 27:24, Rom.8:32, 1Co.2:12, Php.1:29 2:9, Phm 22. 3. In late Gk. (= Lat. condonare), to grant forgiveness, forgive freely: of debt, Luk.7:42-43 (EGT, in l); of sin, 2Co.2:7 2:10 12:13, Eph.4:32, Col.2:13 3:13 (cf. DB, ii, 57a).† (AS)

to you.ὑμῖν.¶huminG4771
you

σέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.