1
Παῦλος δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ καὶ Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφὸς Φιλήμονι τῷ ἀγαπητῷ καὶ συνεργῷ ἡμῶν
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow worker,
The epistolary superscription. Strikingly, Paul styles himself not 'apostle' but 'prisoner of Christ Jesus' — the self-designation that frames the whole letter as a personal appeal from a captive, not a command from on high.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject (nominative of superscription)Παῦλος: the apostle's Roman cognomen; the Greek letter-opening names the sender first.
δέσμιοςprisonerNominativeapposition to Παῦλοςδέσμιος: 'bound one, prisoner' (from δεσμός, 'bond'); Paul's chosen self-title here — not 'apostle' — disarms the appeal and lends it pathos.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of possession/relationΧριστός: 'Anointed,' the Messiah; here functionally a name-title. Paul is Christ's prisoner — captive for and belonging to him, not merely Rome's.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to Χριστοῦ
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΤιμόθεοςTimothyNominativeco-sender (coordinate subject)Τιμόθεος: 'honoring God'; Paul's trusted associate, co-named as sender though Paul alone writes in the first person from v.4 on.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativeapposition to Τιμόθεοςἀδελφός: 'brother'; the Christian family term — sounded here at the outset and climactically of Onesimus in v.16.
Φιλήμονιto PhilemonDativeindirect object (addressee)Φιλήμων: a Colossian believer in whose house the church met; the slave-owner whom the letter seeks to persuade.
τῷtheDativearticle
ἀγαπητῷbelovedDativeattributive adjectiveἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; from ἀγαπάω — warm affection toward Philemon, and a key-word: Onesimus too will be ἀγαπητός (v.16).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συνεργῷfellow workerDativeapposition (second predicate of Philemon)συνεργός: 'co-worker' (σύν + ἔργον); Philemon shares in Paul's gospel labor — a partnership Paul will leverage in the appeal.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
2
καὶ Ἀπφίᾳ τῇ ἀδελφῇ καὶ Ἀρχίππῳ τῷ συστρατιώτῃ ἡμῶν καὶ τῇ κατ' οἶκόν σου ἐκκλησίᾳ·
and to Apphia our sister and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
The address widens: Apphia (likely Philemon's wife), Archippus (a 'fellow soldier'), and the whole house-church. A private matter is thus made semi-public — the community will witness Philemon's response.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
Ἀπφίᾳto ApphiaDativeindirect object (co-addressee)Ἀπφία: a Phrygian woman's name; traditionally taken as Philemon's wife, named because the household management (and a slave) would concern her too.
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀδελφῇsisterDativeapposition to Ἀπφίᾳἀδελφή: 'sister'; the feminine of the family term, marking Apphia as a fellow believer.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
Ἀρχίππῳto ArchippusDativeindirect object (co-addressee)Ἄρχιππος: 'master of the horse'; possibly Philemon's son, charged in Col 4:17 to fulfill his ministry.
τῷtheDativearticle
συστρατιώτῃfellow soldierDativeapposition to Ἀρχίππῳσυστρατιώτης: 'fellow soldier' (σύν + στρατιώτης); the gospel mission cast as a shared military campaign (cf. Phil 2:25).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῇtheDativearticle
κατ'inpreposition + accusative (distributive/local)κατά: 'according to, at'; κατ' οἶκον = 'at the house' — the idiom for a domestic congregation.
οἶκόνhouseAccusativeobject of κατά (location)οἶκος: 'house, household'; early churches met in homes — here Philemon's, the setting of the whole affair.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐκκλησίᾳchurchDativeindirect object (final co-addressee)ἐκκλησία: 'assembly, called-out body'; the gathered congregation — here the witnessing community of the appeal.
3
χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The standard Pauline grace-and-peace blessing, closing the salutation. The doubled source — Father and Lord Jesus Christ — sets the gifts under one divine origin.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (nom. in greeting formula)χάρις: 'grace, favor'; Paul reshapes the Greek χαίρειν greeting into the theological 'grace.'
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject (coordinate)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew šālôm — wholeness and well-being, the second half of the doubled blessing.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source)
πατρὸςFatherGenitiveapposition to θεοῦπατήρ: 'Father'; the relational name for God shared by Father and people.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κυρίουthe LordGenitiveobject of ἀπό (coordinate source)κύριος: 'Lord'; Father and Lord set in parallel as one source of grace and peace.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
4
Εὐχαριστῶ τῷ θεῷ μου πάντοτε μνείαν σου ποιούμενος ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου,
I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
The epistolary thanksgiving period opens (vv.4–7). Paul's constant gratitude and prayerful remembrance of Philemon establish the warm relational footing on which the appeal will rest.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ΕὐχαριστῶI give thanksPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εὐχαριστέωmain verb→ customary presentεὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks'; the standard verb opening a Pauline thanksgiving period.
τῷtheDativearticle
θεῷGodDativeindirect object (recipient of thanks)
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
πάντοτεalwaysadverb (frequency)πάντοτε: 'always, at all times'; the regular hyperbole of the Pauline thanksgivings.
μνείανmention/remembranceAccusativedirect object (cognate w/ ποιούμενος)μνεία: 'remembrance, mention'; μνείαν ποιοῦμαι = the idiom 'I make mention / remember.'
σουof youGenitiveobjective genitive
ποιούμενοςmakingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωadverbial ptc. (manner/attendant circ.)→ present (concurrent)ποιέω (mid.): in the idiom μνείαν ποιούμενος, 'making mention' — i.e. praying for.
ἐπὶin/atpreposition + genitive (occasion)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
προσευχῶνprayersGenitiveobject of ἐπί (occasion)προσευχή: 'prayer'; the regular occasions of Paul's praying.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
5
ἀκούων σου τὴν ἀγάπην καὶ τὴν πίστιν ἣν ἔχεις πρὸς τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν καὶ εἰς πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους,
because I hear of your love and the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,
The causal participle gives the basis of thanks: reports of Philemon's love and faith. The chiastic pairing — love and faith / toward the Lord and for the saints — binds devotion to Christ with practical love for his people, the very love about to be invoked.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἀκούωνhearingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀκούωcausal participle→ present (ongoing)ἀκούω: 'hear'; Paul's thanks rests on continuing reports of Philemon's character.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object of ἀκούωνἀγάπη: 'love'; self-giving care — the leading virtue here, and the lever of the whole appeal (vv.7, 9).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πίστινfaithAccusativedirect object (coordinate)πίστις: 'faith, faithfulness'; here paired with love — trust toward Christ issuing in loyalty to his people.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔχεις)
ἔχειςyou havePres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; the relative clause modifies primarily πίστιν (chiastically), naming its objects.
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction/relation)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κύριονLordAccusativeobject of πρός (object of faith)κύριος: 'Lord'; the object of Philemon's faith.
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativeapposition to κύριον
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: 'to, for'; the shift from πρός (Christ) to εἰς (the saints) lightly distinguishes faith's object from love's recipients.
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἁγίουςsaintsAccusativeobject of εἰς (recipients of love)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the set-apart people of God — the sphere of Philemon's love, soon to include Onesimus.
6
ὅπως ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου ἐνεργὴς γένηται ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ τοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν εἰς Χριστόν.
that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ.
The substance of Paul's intercession: that Philemon's faith-fellowship prove powerfully active through a deepened grasp of every good thing — a prayer whose 'good' will shortly take concrete shape in the reception of Onesimus.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ὅπωςthatconjunction (purpose/content of prayer)ὅπως: 'so that, in order that'; here introducing the content/aim of the prayer of v.4.
ἡtheNominativearticle
κοινωνίαfellowship/sharingNominativesubjectκοινωνία: 'partnership, sharing'; the active participation that faith generates — here the sharing of goods and love within the body.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
πίστεώςfaithGenitivegenitive (source/subjective)πίστις: 'faith'; the κοινωνία springs from (or is constituted by) Philemon's faith.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνεργὴςeffectiveNominativepredicate adjectiveἐνεργής: 'active, effective, at work' (cf. 'energy'); the fellowship is to be no mere sentiment but operative power.
γένηταιmay becomeAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (ὅπως clause, subjunctive)→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the subjunctive states the prayed-for outcome.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
ἐπιγνώσειknowledgeDativedat. of means/sphereἐπίγνωσις: 'full knowledge, recognition' (ἐπί-intensive of γνῶσις); experiential discernment — the medium in which the fellowship grows effective.
παντὸςeveryGenitiveattributive adjective
ἀγαθοῦgood thingGenitiveobjective genitive (object of knowledge)ἀγαθός: 'good'; the substantival neuter — 'every good thing.' The deed for Onesimus is implicitly one such 'good.'
τοῦthat (which is)Genitivearticle (attributive, w/ ἐν ἡμῖν)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἡμῖνusDativeobject of ἐν (sphere; var. 'you')ἡμῖν: 'us'; the good resides 'in us' as a community (a well-attested variant reads ὑμῖν, 'in you').
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal)
ΧριστόνChristAccusativeobject of εἰς (ultimate goal)Χριστός: here the goal — every good is oriented toward Christ (or 'unto Christ's honor').
7
χαρὰν γὰρ πολλὴν ἔσχον καὶ παράκλησιν ἐπὶ τῇ ἀγάπῃ σου, ὅτι τὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων ἀναπέπαυται διὰ σοῦ, ἀδελφέ.
For I had much joy and comfort from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
The thanksgiving's climax and pivot: Philemon's love has 'refreshed the hearts' (σπλάγχνα) of the saints. The verbs ἀναπαύω (refresh) and the noun σπλάγχνα recur in vv.12, 20 — Paul will ask that the same heart-refreshing love now reach Onesimus and himself.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
χαρὰνjoyAccusativedirect objectχαρά: 'joy'; the glad effect of Philemon's love on Paul.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
πολλὴνmuchAccusativeattributive adjective
ἔσχονI hadAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ constative aoristἔχω: 'have'; the aorist ἔσχον looks back on the joy Paul received on hearing of Philemon.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παράκλησινcomfort/encouragementAccusativedirect object (coordinate)παράκλησις: 'encouragement, comfort' (from παρακαλέω, the verb of the appeal in v.9); a gentle anticipation of the request.
ἐπὶfrom/atpreposition + dative (ground/basis)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀγάπῃloveDativedat. of basis (ground of the joy)ἀγάπη: 'love'; named for the third time — the recurring lever of the letter.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
τὰtheNominativearticle
σπλάγχναhearts/affectionsNominativesubjectσπλάγχνα: lit. 'inward parts, bowels'; the seat of deep affection — 'hearts.' A keyword recurring at vv.12, 20.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἁγίωνsaintsGenitivepossessive/subjective genitiveἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the believers whose hearts Philemon's love has gladdened.
ἀναπέπαυταιhave been refreshedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀναπαύωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ intensive perfect (abiding result)ἀναπαύω: 'give rest, refresh' (ἀνά + παύω); the perfect marks a settled state of refreshment — Paul will ask the same favor in v.20.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency)
σοῦyouGenitiveobject of διά (intermediate agent)
ἀδελφέbrotherVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the affectionate direct address that seals the commendation and opens the appeal.
8
Διό, πολλὴν ἐν Χριστῷ παρρησίαν ἔχων ἐπιτάσσειν σοι τὸ ἀνῆκον,
Therefore, though I have much boldness in Christ to command you to do what is fitting,
The hinge of the letter. On the basis of the commended love, Paul turns to his request — disavowing the apostolic authority he could wield ('though I could command') in favor of a personal entreaty (v.9).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
Διόthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'wherefore, therefore' (δι' ὅ); draws the inference from the thanksgiving into the appeal.
πολλὴνmuchAccusativeattributive adjective
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of sphere (the realm of the boldness)Χριστός: 'in Christ' — the sphere from which Paul's authority would derive, were he to use it.
παρρησίανboldness/freedomAccusativedirect object of ἔχωνπαρρησία: 'frankness, boldness' (lit. 'all-speech'); the freedom to speak plainly — here, to command, which Paul declines.
ἔχωνhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωconcessive participle ('though having')→ present (concurrent)ἔχω: 'have, possess'; concessive — 'although I have' the right to command.
ἐπιτάσσεινto commandPres Act Inf · ἐπιτάσσωcomplementary (epexegetical) infinitive→ present (general)ἐπιτάσσω: 'order, command' (ἐπί + τάσσω, 'arrange'); strong word of authoritative command — set aside in favor of παρακαλῶ (v.9).
σοιyouDativedat. (recipient of the command)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀνῆκονwhat is fittingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · ἀνήκωsubstantival ptc. (object of ἐπιτάσσειν)→ present (general)ἀνήκω: 'be fitting, be one's duty'; τὸ ἀνῆκον = 'the proper thing' — the duty Paul could enjoin but prefers to evoke.
9
διὰ τὴν ἀγάπην μᾶλλον παρακαλῶ, τοιοῦτος ὢν ὡς Παῦλος πρεσβύτης, νυνὶ δὲ καὶ δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ·
for love's sake I appeal instead — being such a one as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus —
Paul names his chosen method: not command but entreaty 'for love's sake.' He stacks pathos — an aged man, now also a prisoner — reinforcing that the request comes from weakness and affection, not coercion.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
διὰfor the sake ofpreposition + accusative (cause/motive)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativeobject of διά (motive of appeal)ἀγάπη: 'love'; the motive Paul appeals to — possibly Philemon's love, or love as such, the higher principle than command.
μᾶλλονrather/insteadadverb (comparative)μᾶλλον: 'rather, more'; sets the appeal over against the command renounced in v.8.
παρακαλῶI appealPres Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb→ present (performative)παρακαλέω: 'urge, entreat, exhort' (παρά + καλέω, 'call alongside'); the verb of personal appeal, deliberately gentler than ἐπιτάσσω.
τοιοῦτοςsuch a oneNominativepredicate of ὤν (correlative pronoun)τοιοῦτος: 'such, of this kind'; sums up the persona Paul presents — aged and imprisoned.
ὢνbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εἰμίcausal/concessive participle→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the participle introduces the self-portrait grounding the appeal.
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as, namely'; introduces the descriptive apposition 'Paul, an old man.'
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativeapposition (the persona named)Παῦλος: Paul names himself, lending personal weight to the entreaty.
πρεσβύτηςan old manNominativeapposition to Παῦλοςπρεσβύτης: 'old man, aged person'; (some read 'ambassador,' πρεσβευτής) — here the pathos of advanced years.
νυνὶnowadverb (time, emphatic form)νυνί: 'now' (intensive of νῦν); marks the present aggravating circumstance — imprisonment.
δὲand/butconnective particle (development)
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
δέσμιοςa prisonerNominativeapposition (second descriptor)δέσμιος: 'prisoner'; repeated from v.1 — Paul's chains are pressed into the service of the plea.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of relation/possession
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition to Χριστοῦ
10
παρακαλῶ σε περὶ τοῦ ἐμοῦ τέκνου, ὃν ἐγέννησα ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς Ὀνήσιμον,
I appeal to you for my child, whom I begot in my chains, Onesimus —
The verb παρακαλῶ resumes (from v.9) and at last names its object. Paul withholds the name 'Onesimus' until the end of the clause — first presenting him only as 'my child, whom I begot in chains,' so that affection precedes the loaded name of the runaway slave.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
παρακαλῶI appealPres Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (resumptive)→ present (performative)παρακαλέω: 'entreat, appeal'; resumed from v.9 after the parenthetical self-description, now with its object.
σεyouAccusativedirect object (person appealed to)
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἐμοῦmyGenitivepossessive adjective (emphatic)ἐμός: 'my'; the emphatic possessive — 'my own child' — stressing Paul's tender ownership of the convert.
τέκνουchildGenitiveobject of περί (the one appealed for)τέκνον: 'child'; spiritual offspring — Paul's metaphor for one he led to faith (cf. 1 Cor 4:15).
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐγέννησα)
ἐγέννησαI begotAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristγεννάω: 'beget, father'; metaphor of spiritual fatherhood — Paul converted Onesimus during his imprisonment.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
δεσμοῖςchains/imprisonmentDativedat. of circumstance/placeδεσμός: 'bond, chain'; the plural denotes imprisonment — the very chains of vv.1, 9, now the cradle of a conversion.
ὈνήσιμονOnesimusAccusativeapposition to τέκνου (delayed name)Ὀνήσιμος: 'useful, profitable' (from ὀνίνημι, 'to benefit'); a common slave name. Held to the clause's end, it sets up the wordplay of vv.11, 20.
11
τόν ποτέ σοι ἄχρηστον νυνὶ δὲ σοὶ καὶ ἐμοὶ εὔχρηστον,
who was once useless to you but now is useful both to you and to me —
The famous pun on the name Onesimus ('useful'): once ἄχρηστον (useless), now εὔχρηστον (well-useful). The former-vs.-now contrast (ποτέ … νυνί) captures the conversion that has transformed the runaway into an asset — and to Paul as well as Philemon.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
τόνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantival, w/ adjectives)
ποτέonce/formerlyadverb (past time)ποτέ: 'once, formerly'; marks Onesimus's prior state, set against the νυνί ('now') of conversion.
σοιto youDativedat. of (dis)advantage
ἄχρηστονuselessAccusativepredicate/attributive adjectiveἄχρηστος: 'useless, unprofitable' (ἀ- + χρηστός); a pointed play on the name 'Onesimus' — belying it in his runaway past.
νυνὶnowadverb (present time)νυνί: 'now' (intensive); the conversion's decisive 'now' — the new reality reversing the old.
δὲbutadversative particle
σοὶto youDativedat. of advantage
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐμοὶto meDativedat. of advantage (coordinate)ἐμοί: 'to me'; Paul joins himself to the benefit — Onesimus is now useful to both, binding their interests.
εὔχρηστονusefulAccusativepredicate/attributive adjectiveεὔχρηστος: 'very useful, serviceable' (εὖ + χρηστός); the redeemed counterpart to ἄχρηστος — the name 'Onesimus' now made true.
12
ὃν ἀνέπεμψά σοι, αὐτόν, τοῦτ' ἔστιν τὰ ἐμὰ σπλάγχνα·
whom I have sent back to you — him, that is, my very heart.
Paul states the concrete deed: he is sending Onesimus back. The startling apposition 'my very heart' (τὰ ἐμὰ σπλάγχνα) identifies Onesimus with Paul's own affections (cf. v.7) — to receive him is to receive Paul himself (v.17).
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀνέπεμψα)
ἀνέπεμψάI have sent backAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀναπέμπωmain verb (epistolary aorist)→ epistolary aoristἀναπέμπω: 'send back, send up' (ἀνά + πέμπω); epistolary aorist — from the reader's standpoint the sending is past (Onesimus carries the letter).
σοιto youDativedat. of recipient
αὐτόνhimAccusativeintensive/resumptive pronoun (in apposition)αὐτός: 'him(self)'; resumes the relative emphatically — 'him, I say' — focusing attention before the striking identification.
τοῦτ'thisNominativedemonstrative (subject of ἔστιν)οὗτος: 'this'; τοῦτ' ἔστιν = the explanatory formula 'that is to say.'
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula, in the formula)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; in the idiom τοῦτ' ἔστιν, 'that is.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἐμὰmyAccusativepossessive adjective (emphatic)ἐμός: 'my own'; the emphatic possessive intensifies the identification — Onesimus is Paul's very self.
σπλάγχναheart/affectionsAccusativepredicate (apposition to αὐτόν)σπλάγχνα: 'inward parts,' the seat of affection — 'my heart.' The keyword of v.7 now applied to Onesimus himself.
13
ὃν ἐγὼ ἐβουλόμην πρὸς ἐμαυτὸν κατέχειν, ἵνα ὑπὲρ σοῦ μοι διακονῇ ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς τοῦ εὐαγγελίου,
I was wanting to keep him with myself, so that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the gospel;
Paul discloses his own preference: he would gladly have retained Onesimus as a stand-in for Philemon, serving him in prison. The phrase 'on your behalf' delicately credits Philemon with the service Onesimus could render — yet Paul will not presume (v.14).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of κατέχειν)
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἐγώ: 'I'; the expressed pronoun stresses Paul's personal wish, set against Philemon's prerogative (v.14).
ἐβουλόμηνI was wantingImpf Mid Indic 1 Sg · βούλομαιmain verb→ desiderative imperfect (unrealized wish)βούλομαι: 'wish, want, intend'; the imperfect softens it — 'I was inclined / would have liked,' a wish not acted on.
πρὸςwithpreposition + accusative (association)
ἐμαυτὸνmyselfAccusativeobject of πρός (reflexive)ἐμαυτόν: 'myself'; the reflexive pronoun — Paul would have kept him at his own side.
κατέχεινto keep/retainPres Act Inf · κατέχωcomplementary infinitive (of ἐβουλόμην)→ present (general)κατέχω: 'hold fast, retain' (κατά + ἔχω); the verb of holding back — what Paul refrains from doing.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
ὑπὲρon behalf ofpreposition + genitive (substitution/benefit)ὑπέρ: 'on behalf of, in place of'; Onesimus's service would stand in for Philemon's own.
σοῦyouGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ (the one represented)
μοιmeDativedat. (object of διακονῇ)
διακονῇhe might servePres Act Subj 3 Sg · διακονέωmain verb (ἵνα clause, subjunctive)→ present (ongoing)διακονέω: 'serve, minister' (cf. 'deacon'); practical service — the help Onesimus could render Paul in prison.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
δεσμοῖςchainsDativedat. of circumstanceδεσμός: 'bond, chain'; Paul's imprisonment again — the setting of the longed-for service.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
εὐαγγελίουgospelGenitivegenitive of cause ('chains for the gospel')εὐαγγέλιον: 'good news, gospel'; the cause of Paul's imprisonment — the chains are 'of/for the gospel.'
14
χωρὶς δὲ τῆς σῆς γνώμης οὐδὲν ἠθέλησα ποιῆσαι, ἵνα μὴ ὡς κατὰ ἀνάγκην τὸ ἀγαθόν σου ᾖ ἀλλὰ κατὰ ἑκούσιον.
but without your consent I wanted to do nothing, so that your good deed might not be as by compulsion but of your own free will.
The δέ answers the wish of v.13: Paul will do nothing without Philemon's consent. The principle is stated — the good must be voluntary, not coerced — which both honors Philemon's freedom and quietly maximizes the moral appeal.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
χωρὶςapart from/withoutpreposition + genitive (separation)χωρίς: 'apart from, without'; Paul refuses to act behind Philemon's back.
δὲbutadversative particle
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
σῆςyourGenitivepossessive adjectiveσός: 'your'; the possessive — the decision must be Philemon's own.
γνώμηςconsent/opinionGenitiveobject of χωρίςγνώμη: 'mind, opinion, consent'; Philemon's considered judgment, which Paul will not preempt.
οὐδὲνnothingAccusativedirect object (of ποιῆσαι)οὐδείς: 'no one, nothing'; the absolute object — Paul presumed to do nothing on his own.
ἠθέλησαI wantedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · θέλωmain verb→ constative aoristθέλω: 'will, wish'; the decisive aorist — Paul's settled resolve not to act unilaterally.
ποιῆσαιto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (of ἠθέλησα)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, make'; the action Paul withheld pending Philemon's consent.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ subjunctive)
ὡςascomparative particle (manner)ὡς: 'as, as if'; here qualifying — 'as though by compulsion.'
κατὰbypreposition + accusative (manner/norm)
ἀνάγκηνcompulsionAccusativeobject of κατά (manner)ἀνάγκη: 'necessity, constraint'; the coerced manner Paul wishes to avoid.
τὸtheNominativearticle
ἀγαθόνgood (deed)Nominativesubject of ᾖἀγαθός: 'good'; τὸ ἀγαθόν = 'the good deed' — Philemon's anticipated kindness toward Onesimus.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession/source
ᾖmight bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (ἵνα clause, subjunctive)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the subjunctive states the desired quality of the deed — free, not forced.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
κατὰofpreposition + accusative (manner/norm)
ἑκούσιονfree willAccusativeobject of κατά (manner)ἑκούσιος: 'voluntary, willing'; κατὰ ἑκούσιον = 'of one's own accord' — the manner Paul prizes.
15
τάχα γὰρ διὰ τοῦτο ἐχωρίσθη πρὸς ὥραν, ἵνα αἰώνιον αὐτὸν ἀπέχῃς,
For perhaps this is why he was parted from you for an hour: that you might have him back forever —
Paul ventures a tentative theology of the runaway's flight: 'perhaps' a brief separation under God's hand was for a permanent reunion. The passive ἐχωρίσθη ('he was parted') discreetly avoids blaming Onesimus, reframing the wrong as providence.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
τάχαperhapsadverb (modal, tentative)τάχα: 'perhaps, possibly'; the cautious 'perhaps' — Paul offers an interpretation, not a dogma.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
διὰforpreposition + accusative (cause/reason)
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of διά (forward-pointing)οὗτος: 'this'; διὰ τοῦτο = 'for this reason,' anticipating the ἵνα clause.
ἐχωρίσθηhe was partedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · χωρίζωmain verb→ constative aorist (theological passive)χωρίζω: 'separate, part'; the passive ('he was separated') tactfully veils Onesimus's act and hints at divine agency.
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (duration/extent)πρός: with the accusative of time, 'for' a span; πρὸς ὥραν = 'for an hour, briefly.'
ὥρανan hourAccusativeobject of πρός (extent of time)ὥρα: 'hour, season'; πρὸς ὥραν = 'for a short while,' set against αἰώνιον ('forever').
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
αἰώνιονforever/eternallyAccusativeadjective (predicate/adverbial w/ ἀπέχῃς)αἰώνιος: 'eternal, everlasting'; the contrast with πρὸς ὥραν — a fleeting loss for a permanent gain.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (of ἀπέχῃς)
ἀπέχῃςyou might have (back) in fullPres Act Subj 2 Sg · ἀπέχωmain verb (ἵνα clause, subjunctive)→ present (resultant possession)ἀπέχω: 'have in full, receive back' (ἀπό + ἔχω); a commercial nuance ('have the receipt in full') — Philemon would gain Onesimus completely and lastingly.
16
οὐκέτι ὡς δοῦλον ἀλλὰ ὑπὲρ δοῦλον, ἀδελφὸν ἀγαπητόν, μάλιστα ἐμοί, πόσῳ δὲ μᾶλλον σοὶ καὶ ἐν σαρκὶ καὶ ἐν κυρίῳ.
no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother — especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
The theological climax of the appeal: the master-slave bond is transcended. Onesimus returns 'no longer as a slave but more than a slave — a beloved brother.' The double 'both in the flesh and in the Lord' covers the whole relationship: he is kin in the human household and in Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
οὐκέτιno longeradverb (negation of time)οὐκέτι: 'no longer'; the decisive break with the old status — the relationship is permanently changed.
ὡςascomparative particle (manner)ὡς: 'as'; not 'as a slave' — i.e. no longer regarded merely in that capacity.
δοῦλονslaveAccusativeobject (of implied 'have/receive')δοῦλος: 'slave, bondservant'; Onesimus's legal status — here transcended, not merely softened.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
ὑπὲρmore than/abovepreposition + accusative (comparison)ὑπέρ: with the accusative, 'beyond, more than'; Onesimus is now 'above a slave.'
δοῦλονa slaveAccusativeobject of ὑπέρ (comparison)
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativeapposition (the new status)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the keyword of vv.1, 7 now crowns Onesimus — family, not property.
ἀγαπητόνbelovedAccusativeattributive adjectiveἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the very word applied to Philemon in v.1 — now to Onesimus, leveling them as objects of love.
μάλισταespeciallyadverb (superlative degree)μάλιστα: 'most of all, especially'; Onesimus is beloved 'especially to me' — Paul's personal bond.
ἐμοίto meDativedat. of reference/advantage
πόσῳhow muchDativedat. of measure (degree of difference)πόσος: 'how much/many'; πόσῳ μᾶλλον = the a fortiori 'how much more' — if dear to Paul, far more to Philemon.
δὲbutconnective particle (contrast/development)
μᾶλλονmoreadverb (comparative)μᾶλλον: 'more, rather'; completes the πόσῳ … μᾶλλον construction.
σοὶto youDativedat. of reference/advantage
καὶbothcorrelative conjunction (καὶ … καί)καί … καί: 'both … and'; the doubled conjunction joins the two spheres of the new kinship.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
σαρκὶfleshDativedat. of sphere (human relationship)σάρξ: 'flesh'; here the natural, earthly sphere — the human household and its ties, where Onesimus is now a brother.
καὶandcorrelative conjunction (καὶ … καί)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphere (the Christian bond)κύριος: 'Lord'; ἐν κυρίῳ — the spiritual sphere, where master and slave are brothers in Christ.
17
Εἰ οὖν με ἔχεις κοινωνόν, προσλαβοῦ αὐτὸν ὡς ἐμέ.
So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
The inferential οὖν gathers the appeal into its central petition. The conditional is real ('if — as is true — you hold me a partner'); the imperative προσλαβοῦ is the one explicit command of the letter: receive Onesimus exactly as you would receive Paul.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
Εἰifconjunction (1st-class condition, assumed true)εἰ: 'if'; introducing a condition Paul treats as factual — 'if (as you do) you regard me a partner.'
οὖνtherefore/soinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; draws together the foregoing into the climactic request.
μεmeAccusativedirect object (of ἔχεις)
ἔχειςyou have/regardPres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (protasis)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold, regard'; here 'consider, count' — 'if you reckon me a partner.'
κοινωνόνpartnerAccusativeobject complement (of με)κοινωνός: 'partner, sharer'; cognate with κοινωνία (v.6) — the partnership now cashed out as: receive my representative as me.
προσλαβοῦreceive/welcomeAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · προσλαμβάνωmain verb (imperative, apodosis)→ ingressive aorist (decisive command)προσλαμβάνω (mid.): 'take to oneself, welcome' (πρός + λαμβάνω); the warm verb of reception (cf. Rom 14:1; 15:7) — the letter's sole imperative.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (of προσλαβοῦ)
ὡςascomparative particle (manner)ὡς: 'as'; ὡς ἐμέ = 'as (you would receive) me' — the identification of v.12 made operative.
ἐμέmeAccusativeaccusative (standard of comparison)
18
εἰ δέ τι ἠδίκησέν σε ἢ ὀφείλει, τοῦτο ἐμοὶ ἐλλόγα·
But if he has wronged you in anything or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
Paul anticipates the practical obstacle — a debt or wrong (likely loss from the flight, perhaps theft). With a commercial term (ἐλλόγα, 'charge to my account') he assumes the liability himself, removing every financial pretext for refusal.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
εἰifconjunction (condition)εἰ: 'if'; a delicately phrased condition — conceding the possibility of wrong without dwelling on it.
δέbutconnective/adversative particle
τιanythingAccusativedirect object (of ἠδίκησεν)τις: 'anyone, anything'; the indefinite 'in any way' — generalizing whatever the offense might be.
ἠδίκησένhe has wrongedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀδικέωmain verb (protasis)→ constative aoristἀδικέω: 'do wrong, injure' (ἀ- + δίκη, 'justice'); the wrong of the runaway — perhaps loss or theft.
σεyouAccusativedirect object (person wronged)
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
ὀφείλειowesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀφείλωmain verb (protasis, coordinate)→ stative presentὀφείλω: 'owe, be indebted'; a financial debt — distinguished from, or specifying, the 'wrong.'
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (of ἐλλόγα), prolepticοὗτος: 'this'; the debt/wrong, fronted for emphasis — 'this, put on my account.'
ἐμοὶto meDativedat. of recipient (the one charged)ἐμοί: 'to me'; emphatic by position — the debt is to fall on Paul.
ἐλλόγαcharge it (to my account)Pres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐλλογάωmain verb (imperative)→ present (command)ἐλλογάω/ἐλλογέω: 'reckon, put to one's account' (ἐν + λόγος); a commercial bookkeeping term — Paul assumes the ledger entry himself.
19
ἐγὼ Παῦλος ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί, ἐγὼ ἀποτίσω· ἵνα μὴ λέγω σοι ὅτι καὶ σεαυτόν μοι προσοφείλεις.
I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it — not to mention to you that you owe me your very self besides.
Paul makes the pledge a formal IOU in his own hand ('I, Paul'), a legally weighty promissory note. Then with a deft praeteritio ('not to mention …') he reminds Philemon that he is, in fact, in Paul's debt for his own conversion — outweighing any sum owed.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἐγώ: 'I'; the emphatic, repeated 'I' lends the pledge the solemnity of a signature.
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativeapposition (the signatory named)Παῦλος: Paul names himself — the bond is personally underwritten, as in a legal note of hand.
ἔγραψαI write/have writtenAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb (epistolary aorist)→ epistolary aoristγράφω: 'write'; the epistolary aorist — 'I write (herewith),' marking the autograph guarantee.
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐμῇmy ownDativepossessive adjectiveἐμός: 'my own'; emphasizing the handwritten authenticity of the bond.
χειρίhandDativedat. of means/instrumentχείρ: 'hand'; the autograph (cf. 1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11) — giving the promise legal force.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic, repeated)ἐγώ: the repeated 'I' — 'I myself will pay' — underscoring personal responsibility.
ἀποτίσωI will repayFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποτίνωmain verb→ predictive future (promissory)ἀποτίνω: 'pay back, make compensation'; a formal legal term for discharging a debt — Paul's binding promise.
ἵναthatconjunction (introducing praeteritio)ἵνα: here in the idiom ἵνα μὴ λέγω, 'not to say, to say nothing of' — a rhetorical 'I won't mention.'
μὴnotnegative particle
λέγωI should sayPres Act Subj 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (ἵνα clause, subjunctive)→ present (general)λέγω: 'say'; in the praeteritio formula — Paul mentions precisely by claiming not to.
σοιto youDativedat. of indirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of λέγω)
καὶeven/alsoadverbial (ascensive)καί: 'even, also'; intensifies — 'your very self as well.'
σεαυτόνyourselfAccusativedirect object (of προσοφείλεις)σεαυτόν: 'yourself'; the reflexive — Philemon's own self/soul is the debt, owed for his conversion through Paul.
μοιto meDativedat. of recipient (creditor)
προσοφείλειςyou owe besidesPres Act Indic 2 Sg · προσοφείλωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ stative presentπροσοφείλω: 'owe in addition' (πρός + ὀφείλω); the προ-/πρός- 'over and above' — Philemon's greater, prior debt to Paul dwarfs Onesimus's.
20
ναί, ἀδελφέ, ἐγώ σου ὀναίμην ἐν κυρίῳ· ἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα ἐν Χριστῷ.
Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
Paul presses home with a final, tender appeal. The verb ὀναίμην ('may I have benefit/profit') puns on the name Onesimus ('useful') — 'let me get some "Onesimus" out of you.' And he asks for the very refreshment of heart (ἀνάπαυσον … σπλάγχνα) that Philemon has given others (v.7).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ναίyesparticle of affirmationναί: 'yes, indeed'; an emphatic, heartfelt affirmation introducing the personal plea.
ἀδελφέbrotherVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the affectionate address again (cf. v.7), warming the climactic request.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἐγώ: 'I'; the emphatic pronoun — 'let me, even me, benefit.'
σουfrom youGenitivegenitive (source of benefit, w/ ὀναίμην)
ὀναίμηνmay I benefit/have profitAor Mid Opt 1 Sg · ὀνίνημιmain verb (optative of wish)→ voluntative optative (wish)ὀνίνημι: 'benefit, profit, have joy of'; the optative of wish — and a pun on Ὀνήσιμος ('useful'), 'let me have my "Onesimus" from you.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphereκύριος: 'Lord'; the Christian sphere in which the benefit is sought — not a worldly favor.
ἀνάπαυσόνrefreshAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναπαύωmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist (entreaty)ἀναπαύω: 'refresh, give rest'; the same verb as v.7 — Paul asks for himself the heart-refreshment Philemon has given the saints.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
τὰtheAccusativearticle
σπλάγχναheart/affectionsAccusativedirect object (of ἀνάπαυσον)σπλάγχνα: 'heart, inward affections'; the keyword of vv.7, 12 — to refresh Paul's heart is to receive Onesimus well.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of sphereΧριστός: 'Christ'; the request, like all in the letter, is set within the bond of Christ.
21
Πεποιθὼς τῇ ὑπακοῇ σου ἔγραψά σοι, εἰδὼς ὅτι καὶ ὑπὲρ ἃ λέγω ποιήσεις.
Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
Paul rounds off the appeal with an expression of confidence — a rhetorical 'compliance device' that itself exerts gentle pressure. He expects not bare obedience but generosity beyond the request ('more than I say'), perhaps hinting at Onesimus's manumission or return to Paul's service.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Πεποιθὼςbeing confidentPerf Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πείθωcausal/attendant-circumstance participle→ intensive perfect (settled conviction)πείθω (perf. πέποιθα): 'be persuaded, confident, trust'; the perfect denotes a settled assurance — Paul's trust in Philemon's compliance.
τῇtheDativearticle
ὑπακοῇobedienceDativedat. (object of confidence, w/ πεποιθώς)ὑπακοή: 'obedience' (lit. 'hearing under'); Philemon's anticipated compliant response.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἔγραψάI write/have writtenAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb (epistolary aorist)→ epistolary aoristγράφω: 'write'; the epistolary aorist — 'I am writing,' from the reader's vantage point.
σοιto youDativedat. of indirect object
εἰδὼςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · οἶδαcausal/attendant-circumstance participle→ perfect-as-present (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present sense); Paul's confident knowledge of Philemon's generous character.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of εἰδώς)
καὶevenadverbial (ascensive)καί: 'even'; intensifies — Philemon will do 'even beyond' what is asked.
ὑπὲρbeyondpreposition + accusative (comparison/excess)ὑπέρ: with the accusative, 'beyond, more than'; ὑπὲρ ἃ λέγω = 'above what I say.'
ἃwhat thingsAccusativerelative pronoun (object of λέγω)
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (rel. clause)→ present (general)λέγω: 'say, ask'; what Paul has requested — the baseline Philemon will exceed.
ποιήσειςyou will doFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ predictive futureποιέω: 'do'; the confident prediction of Philemon's deed — surpassing the request.
22
ἅμα δὲ καὶ ἑτοίμαζέ μοι ξενίαν, ἐλπίζω γὰρ ὅτι διὰ τῶν προσευχῶν ὑμῶν χαρισθήσομαι ὑμῖν.
At the same time also prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
A pastoral postscript that also reinforces accountability: Paul plans to visit and to see for himself how Onesimus has been received. His expected release is framed as God's gracious gift in answer to their prayers, binding the community in shared hope.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἅμαat the same timeadverb (simultaneity)ἅμα: 'at the same time, together'; the request runs alongside the appeal — 'and meanwhile.'
δὲbut/andconnective particle (transition)
καὶalsoadverbial (additive)
ἑτοίμαζέpreparePres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἑτοιμάζωmain verb (imperative)→ present (durative command)ἑτοιμάζω: 'make ready, prepare'; the present imperative — 'be getting ready' — expecting Paul's coming.
μοιfor meDativedat. of advantage
ξενίανa guest room/lodgingAccusativedirect objectξενία: 'hospitality, guest lodging' (from ξένος, 'stranger/guest'); the spare room expected for the visiting apostle.
ἐλπίζωI hopePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐλπίζωmain verb→ present (state of hoping)ἐλπίζω: 'hope, expect'; Paul's confident expectation of release and reunion.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of ἐλπίζω)
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
προσευχῶνprayersGenitiveobject of διά (means)προσευχή: 'prayer'; the prayers of the community as the means of Paul's hoped-for release.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (plural 'your')ὑμῶν: 'your' (plural); now addressing the whole house-church of v.2.
χαρισθήσομαιI will be graciously givenFut Pass Indic 1 Sg · χαρίζομαιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ predictive futureχαρίζομαι: 'give graciously, grant as a favor' (from χάρις); Paul's restoration to them would be a gift of grace.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of advantage (plural 'you')
23
Ἀσπάζεταί σε Ἐπαφρᾶς ὁ συναιχμάλωτός μου ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ,
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
The closing greetings begin (vv.23–24). Epaphras — the Colossian evangelist (Col 1:7; 4:12) — heads the list as Paul's 'fellow prisoner,' lending the wider mission's solidarity to the appeal.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ἈσπάζεταίgreetsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb→ present (epistolary greeting)ἀσπάζομαι: 'greet, salute'; the standard verb of letter-closing greetings.
σεyouAccusativedirect object (Philemon)
ἘπαφρᾶςEpaphrasNominativesubjectἘπαφρᾶς: 'Epaphras' (short for Epaphroditus); the founder of the Colossian church (Col 1:7), Paul's companion.
ὁtheNominativearticle
συναιχμάλωτόςfellow prisonerNominativeapposition to Ἐπαφρᾶςσυναιχμάλωτος: 'fellow captive' (σύν + αἰχμάλωτος, 'war-prisoner'); a vivid term — Epaphras shares Paul's captivity.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of sphereΧριστός: 'Christ'; the captivity is 'in Christ Jesus' — for the gospel's sake, not mere misfortune.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition to Χριστῷ
24
Μᾶρκος, Ἀρίσταρχος, Δημᾶς, Λουκᾶς, οἱ συνεργοί μου.
as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
Four named co-workers add their greetings — the same circle as Colossians 4:10–14. Naming Paul's whole team subtly widens the witnessing audience of Philemon's decision and binds him to the larger fellowship of the gospel.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
ΜᾶρκοςMarkNominativesubject (of implied ἀσπάζονται)Μᾶρκος: 'Mark' (John Mark); the evangelist and cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10).
ἈρίσταρχοςAristarchusNominativesubject (coordinate)Ἀρίσταρχος: 'Aristarchus'; the Thessalonian who shared Paul's travels and imprisonment (Acts 27:2; Col 4:10).
ΔημᾶςDemasNominativesubject (coordinate)Δημᾶς: 'Demas'; a co-worker who would later desert Paul (2 Tim 4:10) — here still in the circle.
ΛουκᾶςLukeNominativesubject (coordinate)Λουκᾶς: 'Luke'; the physician (Col 4:14) and author of the Third Gospel and Acts, Paul's loyal companion.
οἱtheNominativearticle
συνεργοίfellow workersNominativeapposition to the four namesσυνεργός: 'co-worker'; the same title given Philemon in v.1 — quietly enrolling him among Paul's collaborators.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
25
Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
The closing grace-benediction, framing the letter (with v.3) in grace. 'Your spirit' is plural — the blessing reaches the whole house-church, sealing a deeply personal letter as a word to the gathered community.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἩtheNominativearticle
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (of implied optative 'be')χάρις: 'grace'; the letter closes as it opened (v.3) — framed by grace.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of sourceκύριος: 'Lord'; the grace's source is the Lord Jesus Christ.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςspiritGenitiveobject of μετάπνεῦμα: 'spirit'; 'your spirit' — the inner person of the addressees, here plural for the whole house-church.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (plural 'your')ὑμῶν: 'your' (plural); the benediction embraces the entire community addressed in v.2.