Philemon 1:1-9

1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,

2to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

5hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

6that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

8Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,

9yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—