BOOK 57 OF 66 · PAULINE EPISTLES · KING JAMES BIBLE

Philemon 1

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Philemon 1 Overview

Paul appeals to Philemon concerning Onesimus, a man who had once been unprofitable but has become a beloved brother. Rather than command by raw authority, Paul pleads on the basis of love, offers to repay any debt Onesimus owes, and asks Philemon to receive him as he would receive Paul himself. The letter turns Christian reconciliation into a concrete personal obligation.

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Before you read Philemon 1

Coming from

Titus 3 closes by grounding salvation in mercy rather than works and then urging believers to maintain good works.

In this chapter

Leads into

The canonical sequence continues into Hebrews.

Key understandingExplore deeper

The letter does not explicitly explain every detail of Onesimus’s past offense, so claims beyond the text should be cautious.

Paul’s offer—‘put that on mine account’—provides a vivid illustration of substitution and imputation, though the letter itself is primarily a real pastoral appeal, not a formal atonement treatise.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

The gospel changes relationships

Onesimus is no longer to be viewed merely by former usefulness or social status, but as a beloved brother.

Christian authority can appeal through love

Paul possesses authority yet chooses persuasion and voluntary obedience.

Reconciliation may include restitution

Paul is willing to absorb financial loss so fellowship can be restored.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Colossians 4:9

Onesimus is called a faithful and beloved brother and travels with Tychicus.

2 Corinthians 5:18–21

The gospel creates a ministry of reconciliation grounded in Christ.

Galatians 3:28

Equal standing in Christ relativizes social distinctions without pretending every earthly circumstance instantly disappears.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not invent details about Onesimus’s offense

The letter leaves some background unstated.

Do not use the letter to defend abusive slavery systems

Paul presses the relationship toward brotherhood, reception, love, and voluntary action under Christ.

Do not turn Paul’s repayment offer into a claim that human restitution earns forgiveness from God

The saving work of Christ remains unique.

Read Philemon 1 watching for…

Paul’s repeated appeals to love rather than compulsion.

How Onesimus is described before and after.

The phrase ‘receive him as myself.’

Paul’s willingness to repay debt.

The expectation of voluntary obedience.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-7Paul greets Philemon and gives thanks for his love, faith, and refreshing of the saints 8-16Paul appeals in love for Onesimus, once unprofitable but now a beloved brother 17-21Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul and offers to repay any debt 22-25Paul asks Philemon to prepare lodging and closes with greetings and grace

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

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.

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

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?

If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

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.

Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. <<Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.>>

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Philemon 1:13

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