---
title: "Philemon 1 — World English Bible | Favorite Scriptures"
description: "Read Philemon 1 in the World English Bible. Free Bible reading, no account needed. Browse books and chapters, then save favorite passages in your personal library."
last_updated: "2026-10-08"
doc_version: "1"
language: "en"
canonical: "https://favoritescriptures.com/bible/philemon/1"
---

[Home](/)/[Bible](/bible)/[Philemon](/bible/philemon)/1

World English Bible

# Philemon 1

[1](#verse-1) Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,

[2](#verse-2) to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:

[3](#verse-3) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

[4](#verse-4) I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,

[5](#verse-5) hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

[6](#verse-6) that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.

[7](#verse-7) For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

[8](#verse-8) Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,

[9](#verse-9) yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

[10](#verse-10) I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have become the father of in my chains,

[11](#verse-11) who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.

[12](#verse-12) I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,

[13](#verse-13) whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.

[14](#verse-14) But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.

[15](#verse-15) For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while that you would have him forever,

[16](#verse-16) no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

[17](#verse-17) If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.

[18](#verse-18) But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account.

[19](#verse-19) I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).

[20](#verse-20) Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.

[21](#verse-21) Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.

[22](#verse-22) Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

[23](#verse-23) Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

[24](#verse-24) as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

[25](#verse-25) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

[← Titus 3](/bible/titus/3)[Hebrews 1 →](/bible/hebrews/1)

World English Bible · Public domain

## Keep what speaks to you.

Create a free library to save passages, highlight verses, and keep your study notes together.

[Start your free library](/login?mode=signup)

## Sitemap

See the [complete sitemap](/sitemap.md).