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Journey Through the Bible

Philemon 1:1-25

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker,
2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. 6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Cross References for Philemon 1:1-25

Philippians 4:3 - Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cau... Click to read the verse Philippians 4:3 Click to read the verse Philippians 4:3

1 Corinthians 10:14 - Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 10:14 Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 10:14

Colossians 1:1 - Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, Click to read the verse Colossians 1:1 Click to read the verse Colossians 1:1

Luke 10:2 - He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, ... Click to read the verse Luke 10:2 Click to read the verse Luke 10:2

1 Corinthians 3:9 - For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 3:9 Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 3:9

Philemon 1:13 - I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I a... Click to read the verse Philemon 1:13 Click to read the verse Philemon 1:13

Ephesians 3:1 - Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the... Click to read the verse Ephesians 3:1 Click to read the verse Ephesians 3:1

2 Timothy 1:8 - So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me... Click to read the verse 2 Timothy 1:8 Click to read the verse 2 Timothy 1:8

Philemon 1:9 - yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of... Click to read the verse Philemon 1:9 Click to read the verse Philemon 1:9

Ephesians 6:20 - for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Click to read the verse Ephesians 6:20 Click to read the verse Ephesians 6:20

Ephesians 4:1 - Unity in the Body of Christ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy ... Click to read the verse Ephesians 4:1 Click to read the verse Ephesians 4:1

1 Thessalonians 2:8 - We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but ou... Click to read the verse 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Click to read the verse 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Colossians 4:11 - Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow work... Click to read the verse Colossians 4:11 Click to read the verse Colossians 4:11

Philippians 2:25 - But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fel... Click to read the verse Philippians 2:25 Click to read the verse Philippians 2:25

1 Thessalonians 3:2 - We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, ... Click to read the verse 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Click to read the verse 1 Thessalonians 3:2

Philemon 1:24 - And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. Click to read the verse Philemon 1:24 Click to read the verse Philemon 1:24

2 Thessalonians 1:1 - Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesu... Click to read the verse 2 Thessalonians 1:1 Click to read the verse 2 Thessalonians 1:1

Hebrews 13:23 - I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come ... Click to read the verse Hebrews 13:23 Click to read the verse Hebrews 13:23

2 Corinthians 1:1 - Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of ... Click to read the verse 2 Corinthians 1:1 Click to read the verse 2 Corinthians 1:1