Capítulo 1

1 - Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker -

2 - also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier - and to the church that meets in your home:

3 - Grace and peace to you The Greek is plural; also in verses 22 and 25; elsewhere in this letter "you" is singular. 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 love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.

6 - I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.

7 - Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people.

8 - Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,

9 - yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul - an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus -

10 - that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, [Onesimus] means [useful.] 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 would not seem forced but would be voluntary.

15 - Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever -

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 fellow 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.