FBCL | Onesimus | Runaway Slave to Beloved Brother

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and ^dfellowlabourer, ² and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: ³ Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, ⁵ hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; ⁶ that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. ⁷ For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. ⁸ Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, ⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: ¹¹ which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: ¹² whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: ¹³ whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: ¹⁴ but without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should ^dnot be as it were of necessity, but willingly. ¹⁵ For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; ¹⁶ not 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? ¹⁷ If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. ¹⁸ If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; ¹⁹ I 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. ²⁰ Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. ²¹ Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. ²² But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. ²³ There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; ²⁴ Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. ²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Written from Rome to Philemon, ^bby Onesimus a servant.

The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Phm 1–25.

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, ⁱin singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; ⁶ Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; ⁷ With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: ⁸ Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. ⁹ And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, ^qforbearing threatening: knowing that ^kyour Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Eph 6:5–9.

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Col 4:1.

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: ²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ^sye serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Col 3:22–25.