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Philemon 1

Paul brings Philemon’s love for fellow believers to bear on receiving Onesimus as a brother in Christ.

Paul writes from prison to Philemon and the church that meets in his house, with Timothy named alongside him. After thanking God for Philemon’s faith and love, Paul appeals for Onesimus, an enslaved man whom he is sending back. Paul calls Onesimus his child and asks Philemon to receive him as a beloved brother. He offers to cover any debt Onesimus owes, seeks Philemon’s willing consent, and asks for a guest room in hope of release.

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1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,
2to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
5hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
6that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
7For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,
9yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have become the father of in my chains,
11who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.
12I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
13whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
14But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.
15For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while that you would have him forever,
16no 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.
17If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
19I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).
20Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.
21Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
22Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Philemon 1:5Philemon’s known faith and love form the basis for Paul’s appeal to welcome Onesimus as a brother.
Philemon 1:7Philemon has refreshed the saints’ hearts; Paul later asks him to refresh his own heart through receiving Onesimus.
Philemon 1:4Paul’s thanks to God establishes the prayerful affection within which his demanding appeal will be heard.
Where this chapter reaches

Colossians shares Onesimus’s name and identifies him as a beloved, faithful brother; it also names several coworkers who appear in Philemon’s closing greetings. Philippians shares Paul’s thanksgiving for fellow believers and his concern for their partnership in the gospel while he is imprisoned.

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How does Paul’s appeal for Onesimus affect the way you understand Philemon’s love for the saints?

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What stands out to you about Paul’s offer to take Onesimus’s possible debt onto his own account?

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Questions people ask about Philemon 1

Who was Onesimus in Philemon?

Onesimus was an enslaved man connected to Philemon who became dear to Paul during his imprisonment. Paul’s description of him as his child suggests that Onesimus came to faith through Paul. The letter does not explain how they met or state that Onesimus had run away or stolen anything.

Does Philemon tell slave owners to free their slaves?

Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus as a beloved brother and as he would receive Paul himself. He does not issue an explicit command of legal emancipation. His confidence that Philemon will do more than he says leaves the expected action open, while his appeal makes their brotherhood in Christ central.

Why does Paul offer to pay Onesimus’s debt?

Paul offers to take responsibility for any wrong or debt that might stand between Philemon and Onesimus. The conditional wording does not establish that Onesimus stole from Philemon. Paul signs the promise himself, giving his appeal a concrete financial cost while also recalling Philemon’s own debt to him.

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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).