The Concordant Version

The Letter of Paul to the Philemon

The Concordant Version

The King James Version

Chapter 1 (CV)

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and brother Timothy, to Philemon, the beloved, and our fellow worker,
2 and to sister Apphia, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the ecclesia at your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I am thanking my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
5 hearing of your love and the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,
6 so that the fellowship of your faith may become operative in the realization of every good thing which is in us for Christ Jesus.
7 For much joy have I had and consolation in your love, seeing that the compassions of the saints are soothed through you, brother.
8 Wherefore, having much boldness in Christ to be enjoining you as to what is proper,
9 because of love I am rather entreating, being such a one as Paul the aged, yet now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus.
10 I am entreating you concerning my child, whom I beget in my bonds,
11 Onesimus, who once was useless to you, yet now is useful to you as well as to me,
12 whom I send back to you. Him -- this means my very compassions -- take to yourself,
13 whom I intended to be retaining for myself that, for your sake, he may be serving me in the bonds of the evangel.
14 Yet apart from your opinion I want to do nothing, that your good may not be as of compulsion but voluntary.
15 For perhaps therefore is he separated for an hour, that you may be collecting him as an eonian repayment,
16 no longer as a slave, but above a slave, a brother beloved, especially to me, yet how much rather to you, in the flesh as well as in the Lord!
17 If, then, you have me for a mate, take him to yourself as me.
18 Now if in anything he injures you, or is owing aught, this be charging to my account.
19 I, Paul (I write with my own hand), I will refund it. (Not that I may say to you that you are owing me even yourself!)
20 Yea, brother, may I be "profiting" from you in the Lord! Soothe my compassions in Christ!
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, being aware that you will do even above what I say.
22 Now, at the same time, make ready also a lodging for me, for I am expecting that, through your prayers, I shall be graciously granted to you.
23 Greeting you are Epaphras, my fellow captive in Christ Jesus,
24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit! Amen!

Chapter 1 (KJV)

1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
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 not 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.

Return to Table of Contents

The text of the CONCORDANT VERSION may be reproduced for personal use (all other rights reserved
by copyright holder: The Concordant Publishing Concern, 15570 Knochaven Road,
Santa Clarita, CA 91350, U.S.A.)