Philemon 1 (KJV)
Philemon 1 in the King James Version, with Matthew Henry's commentary.
Read in the Bible ProJection readerOpen word by word in the app
The text, King James Version
- 1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
- 2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
- 3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
- 5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
- 6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
- 7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
- 8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
- 9Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
- 10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
- 11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
- 12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
- 13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
- 14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
- 15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
- 16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
- 17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
- 18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
- 19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
- 20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
- 21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
- 22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
- 23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
- 24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
- 25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Outline of the chapter
From Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary.
- The apostle's joy and praise for Philemon's steady faith in the Lord Jesus, and love to all the saints. (verses 1-7)
- He recommends Onesimus as one who would make rich amends for the misconduct of which he had been guilty; and on behalf of whom the apostle promises to make up any loss Philemon had sustained. (verses 8-22)
- Salutations and a blessing. (verses 23-25)