- 1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
- 2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
- 3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
- 5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
- 6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
- 7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
- 8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
- 9Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
- 10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
- 11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
- 12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
- 13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
- 14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
- 15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
- 16Not 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?
- 17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
- 18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
- 19I 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.
- 20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
- 21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
- 22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
- 23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
- 24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
- 25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
KING JAMES VERSION
PHILEMON 1
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Philemon 1 — Paul appeals in love for Onesimus to be received no longer merely as a servant, but as a beloved brother and partner.
About this illustration
The scene pauses at the threshold because the letter records Paul’s appeal, not Philemon’s response. The set-aside work chain is symbolic, every figure is treated with dignity, and the sealed scroll contains no visible writing.
Scripture basis: Philemon 1:1–25King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
Mid-fourth century AD
The Lullingstone Roman Villa House-Church
A room above an older cult chamber in the fourth-century Lullingstone villa carried Chi-Rho monograms and praying figures, providing Roman Britain's clearest archaeological example of Christian worship established within an elite household complex.
Romans 16:3–5 · Philemon 1:1–2
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Third century AD
Papyrus P87 of Philemon
A single third-century papyrus fragment in Cologne preserves portions of Philemon 13-15 and 24-25, the earliest surviving manuscript witness to this short Pauline letter.
Philemon 1:13–15 · Philemon 1:24–25
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
8th Century
Papyrus P61: 1 Corinthians 5:1–3 in a Greek Witness
P61, P. Colt 5 from the Nessana excavations, is a late-seventh- or eighth-century Greek papyrus witness to portions of seven Pauline letters, including a damaged subscription to Titus.
Romans 16:23–27 · 1 Corinthians 5:1–3 · 1 Corinthians 5:9–13
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
4th Century
Papyrus P139: Philemon 6–8 and 18–20 in a Greek Witness
P.Oxy. LXXXIII 5347, Gregory-Aland P139, is a fourth-century papyrus codex fragment whose two faces preserve Paul’s appeal for active fellowship and his offer to assume Onesimus’s debt.
Philemon 1:6–8 · Philemon 1:18–20
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
Bronze Age through Byzantine periods; Roman and late-antique cemetery use
Colossae Archaeological Site and North Necropolis
New excavation at Colossae is beginning to document the largely unexcavated city addressed in Colossians and associated with Philemon, starting with its northern necropolis.
Colossians 1:1–8 · Colossians 4:7–18 · Philemon 1:1–25