About Paul’s letter to Philemon

Paul was a great Christian teacher. He was in prison, at either Rome or Ephesus, when he wrote this letter to Philemon. Rome was a very important city at that time, because the king of Rome ruled many other countries. Ephesus was a city in the south and west part of the country that is called Turkey now. Paul was in prison because he taught people about Jesus Christ. We think that Paul wrote this letter in the year AD 60 or 61. That was about 30 years after Jesus died.

Philemon was a Christian man who lived in the town called Colossae. Colossae was also in the south and west part of the country that is called Turkey now. Philemon had become a Christian because Paul had taught him about Christ. Philemon was a rich man who was the master of a house. A church met in his house. A man called Onesimus was one of Philemon’s slaves. We think that Onesimus had robbed Philemon. He may have taken some of Philemon’s money or other things. Then Onesimus had run away from Colossae.

Paul was in prison in his own house. People came to visit him, and he taught them about Jesus. Onesimus met Paul and Paul taught him about Jesus. As a result, Onesimus believed Jesus and he became a Christian. After that, Paul wrote this letter and he gave it to Onesimus. Then he sent Onesimus back to Philemon at Colossae. Paul wanted Onesimus to give the letter to Philemon.

In his letter, Paul asks Philemon to forgive Onesimus. Paul asks Philemon to be kind to Onesimus, because he was another Christian, who is like his brother. This was very important for Onesimus. It was difficult for Onesimus to return to Philemon. He had taken some of Philemon’s things and he was still one of Philemon’s slaves. Philemon could have killed Onesimus because of what he had done.

Tychicus was a friend of Paul and he was also a Christian. Tychicus was taking a letter from Paul to the Christians at Colossae, so he travelled with Onesimus.

Philemon

Paul says ‘Hello’ to Philemon

1This letter is from me, Paul. I am in prison because I serve Christ Jesus. Our Christian friend Timothy is here with me.

We are writing to you, Philemon. You are our friend, and we love you. You work on behalf of Christ, as we do. 2We say ‘hello’ also to Apphia, who is like a sister to us. And we say ‘hello’ to Archippus, who serves Christ like a soldier, as we do. We also say ‘hello’ to the group of Christians who meet in your home.

3I pray that God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ will continue to help you. I pray that they will give you peace in your minds.

Paul thanks God because of Philemon

4When I pray for you, I always thank my God when I think about you. 5I thank God because people tell me good things about you. You love all God’s people and you trust in the Lord Jesus. 6We each have the same faith in Christ as we serve him. So I pray that, as a result, you will become strong. I pray that you will understand more about every good thing that is ours because of Christ. 7My friend, you have helped God’s people to feel stronger. Your love for them has made me very happy. It makes me feel stronger too.

Paul asks Philemon to help Onesimus

8I want to ask you to do something. I am sure that Christ has given me authority. So I could tell you strongly what you should do. 9But instead, because of love, I will ask you, ‘Please do it.’ I, Paul, am an old man. Also, I am in prison now because I serve Christ Jesus. 10So I am asking you to help Onesimus, who is like my own child. I taught him about Jesus while I was in prison. Because of that, he now has life with God. I am like his father. 11Before he trusted Jesus, Onesimus did not really help you. But now he can help both you and me. ▼

▼1:11 The name Onesimus means ‘good helper’.

12So I am now sending him back to you. Because I love him, it is like I am sending you my own heart. 13I wanted to keep him here with me, to help me on your behalf. I am in prison here because I taught people the good news about Jesus. 14But I did not want to do anything unless you agreed. I wanted you to help me because you really want to help. I did not want to make you do it.

15When Onesimus ran away from you, perhaps God let that happen. Onesimus left you for a short time so that you could now have him back for ever. 16You can have him back again not only as your slave. He will be something much better than a slave for you. He will be like a brother that you love. I love him very much. But now you will love him even more. He will serve you as a slave, but he will also serve the Lord, as you do.

17I am your friend. Together we serve God. If you agree with that, please be kind to Onesimus. Accept him in the same way that you would accept me. 18If Onesimus has done anything wrong to you, I will make it right again. If he took money from you, I will pay it back. Just tell me. 19I, Paul, am writing this myself: ‘I will pay the money back to you.’ But you should remember what I have given you already. You have life with God because I told you the good news about Jesus. 20Yes, my friend, you should help me, because we both belong to the Lord. Help me to feel stronger because we are both united to Christ.

21I am sure that you will do what I ask. That is why I have written this letter to you. I know that you will do even more than this to help me.

22I want to ask you one more thing. Please prepare a room in your home where I can stay. I know that all of you are praying for God to let me go free. As a result, I hope that I will be able to visit you again.

Paul finishes his letter

23Epaphras is also here in prison with me because he serves Christ Jesus. He says ‘hello’ to you. 24Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, who work with me here, say ‘hello’ to you also.

25I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will continue to be very kind to all of you.