Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-labourer, and to Appia our dearest sister. He was a fellow-labourer in the Gospel. Appia is believed to be either his sister or his wife. And to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church which is in thy house. Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Archippus was either a bishop or a deacon: concerning whom he says to the Colossians: Say to Archippus: Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received, that thou fulfil it. I give thanks to my God, always making remembrance of thee in my prayers. With joy he prays for them. Hearing of thy charity and of the faith which thou hast in the Lord Jesus, which becomes known by good works, and toward all the saints.
He who loves the head must love all the members. That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work that is in you, in Christ Jesus. As if to say: I pray this, that thy works may shine forth in Christ. Otherwise: He loves all the saints so greatly that all the good among us may clearly recognize thee to be faithful in Christ. For I had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have found rest through thee, brother — those whom thou hast received into hospitality. Wherefore, having much confidence in Christ Jesus — though thy charity has given us confidence to command, yet we have rather chosen to entreat — to command thee what pertains to the matter, because of charity — what pertains to the matter of Christian charity.
I rather beseech thee, since thou art such a one, as Paul the aged: and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ, I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus — in all things like unto me — who was once unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable both to thee and to me, whom I have sent back to thee. When he was carnal. But do thou receive him as my own bowels — that is, as a son — whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might minister to me in the bonds of the Gospel. From this understand what sort he is who so pleased me that I believed he could minister to me in thy stead. But without thy counsel I would do nothing. He speaks thus, so as to send him back to Philemon, or rather that the man's usefulness might be the more commended: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.
For perhaps he therefore departed from thee for a season, that thou mightest receive him for ever, no longer as a servant. For now he will serve not as if of necessity, but voluntarily. But instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me: but how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord! — to whom both carnally and according to what he believed he owes service. If therefore thou hold me as a companion, receive him as myself. And if he hath wronged thee in anything, or oweth thee, impute this to me. I, Paul, have written it with my own hand: I will repay it — not to say to thee that thou owest me even thine own self. Yea, brother, may I enjoy thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Confident of thy obedience I have written to thee, knowing that thou wilt do even more than I say. If thou love me, so receive him as myself.
Inasmuch as I hold him as myself. And withal prepare me also a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you. Here it is shown that he was sent from the city as a first-fruits. Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee; and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow-labourers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Written from the city of Rome.