Philemon 1

Philemon · Chapter 1

Philemon 1:8

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
8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper,Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul has just praised Philemon for refreshing the saints with his love (1:7). "Wherefore" links that praise to his appeal: Paul says he could boldly order Philemon to do what is fitting. In the next verse he says he will rather beseech him "for love's sake" (1:9). Philemon 1:7Philemon 1:8Philemon 1:9Strong's G1352

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

ToPhilemon, a dearly beloved fellow-labourer, with Apphia, Archippus, and the church in his house. Philemon 1:1Philemon 1:2Philemon overview

Also involvedOnesimus, Philemon's servant who had left him and had become a believer through Paul. He is the subject of the appeal that follows. Philemon 1:10Philemon 1:11Philemon 1:15Philemon 1:16Philemon overview

Paul admits he has authority in Christ to command Philemon about what is right. He sets that authority aside and chooses to appeal instead, so that Philemon's good deed would be done "not as it were of necessity, but willingly" (1:14). Philemon 1:8Philemon 1:9Philemon 1:14Philemon overview

Paul writes from prison; the letter does not name the city, and Rome is the traditional view. It was sent to Philemon's house church, traditionally in Colossae. Philemon overviewPhilemon 1:2

ASIAGALATIAPHRYGIAAegean SeaColossaeLaodiceaHierapolisEphesusMiletus

The eventsThe verse opens Paul's appeal for Onesimus (1:8-21), written while Paul was in prison and Onesimus was being sent back. Philemon overviewPhilemon 1:10Philemon 1:12

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

HerePaul prepares Philemon to receive Onesimus back as "a brother beloved" (1:16). He does it by appeal, not by order. Philemon 1:8Philemon 1:9Philemon 1:16Philemon overview

In the whole of ScriptureElsewhere Paul also speaks of authority he could use but holds back, saying it was given "for edification, and not for your destruction" (2 Corinthians 10:8). He also writes that the apostles "might have been burdensome" yet were not (1 Thessalonians 2:6). He beseeches "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:1). 2 Corinthians 10:81 Thessalonians 2:62 Corinthians 10:1

For readersPaul shows that a leader with real authority can choose to ask in love rather than demand. He still trusts Philemon to do even more than he asks (1:21). Philemon 1:8Philemon 1:9Philemon 1:21

  • boldnessπαρρησία
    Greek · parrēsia · G3954

    The word means freedom of speech, plainness, openness. Paul uses it in 2 Corinthians 3:12, "great plainness of speech", so his "boldness" here is the freedom to speak plainly and directly to Philemon. Strong's G39542 Corinthians 3:12

  • to commandἐπιτάσσω
    Greek · epitassō · G2004

    The word means to command or charge. Paul names this kind of order as something he could give and then chooses not to (1:9). Strong's G2004Philemon 1:9

  • befittingἀνήκω
    Greek · anēkō · G0433

    The word means what is due or befitting, in a moral sense. It is also used in Ephesians 5:4 for talk that is "not convenient." So "convenient" in the KJV means fitting or right, not easy. Strong's G0433Ephesians 5:4

Takeaway

Paul had the right to command what was right, but he chose to appeal in love. He wanted Philemon's kindness to Onesimus to be willing, not forced. Philemon 1:8Philemon 1:9Philemon 1:14

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

Asking a friend to plead
Roman lawyers discussed slaves who went to a friend of their master to ask him to plead for them, and held that such a slave was not counted a runaway. Pliny the Younger wrote a letter of this kind, begging a friend to forgive a freedman who had come to him in tears. Justinian, Digest 21.1.17.4 (citing Proculus)Pliny the Younger, Letters 9.21, 9.24

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
ThereforeΔιὸDioG1352
therefore

διό (dio) διό conjunct. for δι᾽ ὅ, wherefore, on which account: Mat.27:8, Luk.7:7, Act.15:19, Rom.1:24, al.; δ. καί, Luk.1:35, Act.10:29 24:26, Rom.4:22 15:22, 2Co.1:20 4:13 5:9, Php.2:9, Heb.11:12 13:12 (see Ellic. on Gal.4:31). (AS)

muchπολλὴνpollēnG4183
much

πολύς (polus) πολύς, πολλή, πολύ, [in LXX chiefly for רַב and cognate forms ;] 1. as adj., much, many, great, of number, space, degree, value, time, etc.: ἀριθμός, Act.11:21; ὄχλος, Mrk.5:24; θερισμός, Mat.9:37; χόρτος, Jhn.6:10; χρόνος, Mat.25:19; γογγυσμός, Jhn.7:12; πόνος, Col.4:13; δόξα, Mat.24:30; σιγή, Act.21:40; pl., προφῆται, Mat.13:17; ὄχλοι, Mat.4:25; δαιμόνια, Mrk.1:34; δυνάμεις, Mat.7:22, …

inἐνenG1722
in/on/among

ἐν (en) ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; af …

ChristΧριστῷChristōG5547
Christ

Χριστός (Christos) χριστός (Χρ-), -ή, -όν (χρίω), [in LXX for מָשִׁיחַ and cogn. forms ;] 1. 1. as adj., (a) of things, anointing, to be used as ointment (Æsch., Eur., al.; τ. ἔλαιον τὸ χ., Lev.21:10); (b) of persons, anointed (ὁ ἰερεὺς ὁ χ., Lev.4:5; οἱ χ. ἰευρεῖς, 2Ma.1:10): ὁ χ. τοῦ κυρίου or Θεοῦ (1Ki.2:10, Psa.2:2, al.), of the Messiah (Aram., מְשִׁיחָא; cf. Dalman, Words, 289 ff.), Luk.2:11, 26 Jhn.1:41, Act.2:36 4:26, al. …

boldnessπαρρησίανparrēsianG3954
boldness

παρρησία (parrēsia) παρρησία, -ας, ἡ (πᾶς + ῥῆσις, speech) [in LXX; Lev.26:13 (μετὰ π., קוֺמְמִיּוּת קוֹמְמִיּוּת), Pro.1:20 10:10, Wis.5:1, al. ;] 1. freedom of speech, plainness, openness, freedom in speaking (Eur., Plat., al.) : Act.4:13, 2Co.3:12; παρρησίᾳ, adverbially, freely, openly, plainly, Mrk.8:32, Jhn.7:13, 26 10:24 11:14 16:29 18:20; opposite to ἐν παροιμίαις, Jhn.16:25; ἐν π., Eph.6:19; μετὰ π., Act.2:29 4:29, 31 28:31 …

havingἔχωνechōnG2192
to have/be

ἔχω (echō) ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. I. Trans.; 1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; (a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; (b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; (with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; …

to orderἐπιτάσσεινepitasseinG2004
to command

ἐπιτάσσω (epitassō) ἐπι-τάσσω [in LXX for אָמַר, צָוָה, etc. ;] to command, charge: with accusative of thing(s), Luk.14:22; with dative of person(s), Mrk.1:27 9:25, Luk.4:36 8:25; id. with accusative of thing(s), Phm 8; id. with inf., Mrk.6:39, Luk.8:31, Act.23:2; id. with imperat., Mrk.9:25; with accusative and inf., Mrk.6:27.† SYN.: κελεύω (AS)

youσοιsoiG4771
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; …

befittingἀνῆκονanēkonG0433
be fitting

ἀνήκω (anēkō) ἀν-ήκω (ἀνά, ἥκω), [in LXX: Jos.23:14 (בּוֹא), 1Ki.27:8, Sir. prol.10, 1, 2 Mac6* ;] prop., to have come up to; in later writers, impers. it is due, it is befitting: in ethical sense (MM, VGT, see word), Eph.5:4, Col.3:18; τὸ ἀνῆκον, Phm 8.† (AS)

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