The big picture
Philemon 1 opens in verse 1 with “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 13 with “Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me…”, and closes in verse 25 with “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” Repeated or prominent terms include Christ, Jesus, Lord, brother, beloved. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Philemon · King James Version · 25Philemon 1:1-7
1–7: Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon…
Philemon 1:1–7 opens with “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and…” and reaches “For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Philemon’s house church gathering as Paul’s letter arrives with gratitude for faith and love; Onesimus traveling back with the letter while Paul appeals that he be received as a beloved brother rather than merely under his former status; A guest room prepared in hope of Paul’s release as the named coworkers send greetings, with particular weight carried by Jesus, Christ, beloved.
Philemon 1:1-7
King James Version1Paul, 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.
Philemon 1:8-14
8–14: Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that…
Philemon 1:8–14 opens with “Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,” and reaches “But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Philemon’s house church gathering as Paul’s letter arrives with gratitude for faith and love; Onesimus traveling back with the letter while Paul appeals that he be received as a beloved brother rather than merely under his former status; A guest room prepared in hope of Paul’s release as the named coworkers send greetings, with particular weight carried by beseech, bonds, Christ.
Philemon 1:8-14
King James Version8Wherefore, 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.
Philemon 1:15-21
15–21: For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest…
Philemon 1:15–21 opens with “For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;” and reaches “Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Philemon’s house church gathering as Paul’s letter arrives with gratitude for faith and love; Onesimus traveling back with the letter while Paul appeals that he be received as a beloved brother rather than merely under his former status; A guest room prepared in hope of Paul’s release as the named coworkers send greetings, with particular weight carried by Lord, brother, receive.
Philemon 1:15-21
King James Version15For 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.
Philemon 1:22-25
22–25: Withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers…
Philemon 1:22–25 opens with “But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given…” and reaches “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Philemon’s house church gathering as Paul’s letter arrives with gratitude for faith and love; Onesimus traveling back with the letter while Paul appeals that he be received as a beloved brother rather than merely under his former status; A guest room prepared in hope of Paul’s release as the named coworkers send greetings, with particular weight carried by Christ, Jesus, Amen.
Philemon 1:22-25
King James Version22But 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Philemon 1:1 begins with “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,”
Where the chapter turns
Philemon 1:14 forms a natural hinge: “But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.”
The final note
Philemon 1:25 leaves the reader with “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Christ, Jesus, Lord, brother, beloved, bowels help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Who receives the image and the blessing?
Both male and female in verses 27-28. Human worth precedes achievement.
What limits human dominion?
The world belongs to its Creator and is already declared good. Compare the charge to tend and keep in 2:15.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.