1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
4I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,
5because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
6I 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.
7Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Paul's Plea for Onesimus
8Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
9yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul