Art thou called being a slave? let it give thee no concern; but if thou canst also obtain thy freedom, rather make use of it. For he that is called in the Lord, being a slave, is the Lord's freed man: in like manner also, he that is called, being a free man, is the servant of Christ. read more. Have you been redeemed with a price? become not the slaves of men. Let every one, brethren, in the vocation wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

The salutation of Paul with mine own hand.

FOR this cause [am] I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

I THEN, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation with which ye are called,

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, or impure person, or avaricious, who is an idolater, hath an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things, the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience. read more. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were formerly darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light; (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

for which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I bear you on my heart, both in my bonds and in my defence and the confirmation of the gospel, as being all of you sharers in my grace.

What then? if Christ is preached in whatever manner it be, whether in pretext or reality, even in this do I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Servants, obey in all things your masters after the flesh, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but, in simplicity of heart, fearing God.

MASTERS, afford to your servants that which is just, and an equivalent, knowing that ye also have a Master in the heavens.

praying also at the same time for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, that I may speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains:

Let your discourse be always gracious, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to reply to every man.

with Onesimus, that faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you: they will make known unto you all things that have passed here.

The salutation of Paul with mine own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

The salutation of Paul with mine own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy a brother, to Philemon the beloved, and our fellow-labourer,

I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and unto all the saints; read more. that there may be an operative communication of thy faith made known by every good thing, which is in you towards Jesus Christ. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother. Wherefore, though I have in Christ great liberty to enjoin thee what is becoming, I rather for love's sake entreat, being such as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner for Jesus Christ.

I rather for love's sake entreat, being such as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner for Jesus Christ.

I rather for love's sake entreat, being such as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner for Jesus Christ. I entreat thee for my son, whom I have begotten during my bonds, Onesimus:

I entreat thee for my son, whom I have begotten during my bonds, Onesimus:

I entreat thee for my son, whom I have begotten during my bonds, Onesimus: who in time past hath been an unprofitable servant to thee, but now very profitable to thee and to me:

who in time past hath been an unprofitable servant to thee, but now very profitable to thee and to me:

who in time past hath been an unprofitable servant to thee, but now very profitable to thee and to me: whom I have sent back; thou therefore receive him, even as my own bowels:

whom I have sent back; thou therefore receive him, even as my own bowels: whom I wished to detain about myself, that in thy stead he might have waited upon me during my bonds for the gospel:

whom I wished to detain about myself, that in thy stead he might have waited upon me during my bonds for the gospel:

whom I wished to detain about myself, that in thy stead he might have waited upon me during my bonds for the gospel: but without thy consent would I do nothing; that this good deed of thine might not be as of necessity, but from thy own choice.

but without thy consent would I do nothing; that this good deed of thine might not be as of necessity, but from thy own choice. For to this end perhaps was he separated from thee for a season, that thou mightest receive him for ever; read more. no longer as a slave, but above a slave, as a brother beloved, especially by me, but how much more by thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

no longer as a slave, but above a slave, as a brother beloved, especially by me, but how much more by thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? If therefore thou holdest me a sharer with thee, receive him as myself.

If therefore thou holdest me a sharer with thee, receive him as myself.

I Paul have given it under my own hand, I will repay it, not to say to thee, that thou owest even thine own self unto me.

I Paul have given it under my own hand, I will repay it, not to say to thee, that thou owest even thine own self unto me. Yea, brother, I wish to have joy in thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Yea, brother, I wish to have joy in thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Having confidence in thy obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do more than I say.

Having confidence in thy obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do more than I say. But at the same time prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

But at the same time prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Amen.