A New Translation of Paul and Timothy’s Letter to

Philemon

Based on the Westcott and Hort Text of 1881 with references to the Papyrus fragments of the Chester Beatty collections, c. 3^rd Century A.D. and the Sinaitic Manuscript of the 4^th Century.

Some notes on this translation:

Thou vs. YOU: Many people today have a hard time understanding the Elizabethan usage of thou, thee, thy, etc. For this reason, we have chosen to avoid this archaic language. At the same time, we need to be able to fulfill the purpose of those words, which was to distinguish between a singular you and a plural YOU. Following the example of other translations, we have used all capital letters to indicate plural (more than one person addressed), and small letters to indicate singular (one person addressed).

Words in italics: Following the example of other translations, we have used italics for words that are not in the original text, but which are essential to the sense of the original when translated into English. Unlike other translations, however, we have NOT added words which alter the meaning of the original.

Words in (parentheses): These are not part of the biblical text, but are notes of explanation from the translator.

Philemon

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Brother Timothy, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

2 and to Sister Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in your house:

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

4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,

5 hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

6 that the fellowship of your faith might become operative, in true knowledge of every good thing that is in us (some manuscripts say “in you”), into Christ.

7 For I had much joy and comfort about your love, because the affections of the saints have been refreshed through you, Brother.

8 Therefore, I have much boldness in Christ to charge you that which is befitting,

9 but rather for love's sake I ask, being such a one as Paul the old man, but now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus:

10 I ask you about my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,

11 who was once useless to you, but now is quite useful to you and to me:

12 whom I have sent back to you, him, who is my affection:

13 whom I wanted to keep near me, that in your place he might minister to me in the bonds of the gospel:

14 but I wanted to do nothing without your consent; so that your goodness should not be out of necessity, but of free will.

15 For this purpose, perhaps, he was parted from you for an hour, that you may have him back forever;

16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 Therefore, if you have fellowship with me, receive him as me.

18 But if he has wronged you in anything, or owes anything, put it to my account;

19 I, Paul, wrote  with my own hand, I will pay it off: so that I don’t have to be saying to you that you also owe yourself to me besides.

20 Yes, Brother, may I derive profit in the Lord from you: refresh my affections in Christ.

21 Having trusted in your obedience I have written to you, knowing that you will also do more than what I am saying.

22 But at the same time prepare for me also a lodging: for I hope that through YOUR prayers I shall be granted to YOU.

23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

24 as well as Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow-workers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with YOUR spirit. (Some manuscripts add “Amen.”)