PHM 1:1 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: light-green:nominative/subject, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and our brother Timothy to Philemon, the beloved and our fellow worker,

UST I, Paul, am currently in prison for serving the Messiah, Jesus. I am here with Timothy, our fellow believer. I am writing this letter to you, Philemon. You also serve the Messiah, and we love you.

BLB Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon, our beloved and fellow worker,

AICNT Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus,[fn] and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow worker,

1:1, Christ Jesus: Later manuscripts read “Jesus Christ.” The Greek word for Christ means (1) fulfiller of Israelite expectation of a deliverer, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ, (2) the personal name ascribed to Jesus, Christ. (BDAG, Χριστός)

OEB From Paul, now a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, a fellow follower of the Lord.

WEBBE Paul, a prisoner of Christ[fn] Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,

1:1 “Christ” means “Anointed One”.

WMBB Paul, a prisoner of Messiah[fn] Yeshua, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,

1:1 “Messiah” means “Anointed One”.

MSG ^(1-3)I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work—also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house. God’s best to you! Christ’s blessings on you!

NET From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer,

LSV Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

FBV This letter is sent from Paul, prisoner of Jesus Christ, and from our brother Timothy, to Philemon, our good friend and co-worker;

TCNT Paul, a prisoner for [fn]Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved friend and fellow worker,

1:1 Christ Jesus [45.2%] ¦ Jesus Christ 𝔐^pt PCK [54.5%]

T4T I, Paul, am a prisoner who serves Christ Jesus. I am here with Timothy, our fellow believer. I am writing this letter to you, Philemon, our dear friend and fellow worker.

LEB No LEB PHM 1:1 verse available

BBE Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear helper in the faith,

Moff Paul a prisoner of Christ Jesus and brother Timotheus, to our beloved fellow-worker Philemon,

Wymth Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother: To Philemon our dearly-loved fellow labourer—

ASV Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

DRA Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother: to Philemon, our beloved and fellow labourer;

YLT Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

Drby Paul, prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother, to Philemon the beloved and our fellow-workman,

RV Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

SLT PAUL, imprisoned of Jesus Christ, Timothy the brother, to Philemon, dearly beloved, and cooperating,

Wbstr Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-laborer,

KJB-1769 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

KJB-1611 ¶ Paul a prisoner of Iesus Christ, & Timothie our brother vnto Philemon our dearely beloued, and fellow labourer,
(¶ Paul a prisoner of Yesus/Yeshua Christ, and Timothie our brother unto Philemon our dearely beloved, and fellow labourer,)

Bshps Paul a prisoner of Iesus Christ, and brother Timotheus: Unto Philemo the beloued, and our felowe labourer,
(Paul a prisoner of Yesus/Yeshua Christ, and brother Timotheus: Unto Philemo the beloved, and our fellow labourer,)

Gnva Paul a prisoner of Iesus Christ, and our brother Timotheus, vnto Philemon our deare friende, and fellowe helper,
(Paul a prisoner of Yesus/Yeshua Christ, and our brother Timotheus, unto Philemon our dear friend, and fellowe helper, )

Cvdl Paul the presoner of Iesu Christ, and brother Timotheus. Vnto Philemon the beloued, and oure helper,
(Paul the prisoner of Yesu Christ, and brother Timotheus. Unto Philemon the beloved, and our helper,)

TNT Paul the presoner of Iesu Christ and brother Timotheus. Vnto Philemon the beloved and oure helper
(Paul the prisoner of Yesu Christ and brother Timotheus. Unto Philemon the beloved and our helper )

Wycl Poul, the boundun of Crist Jhesu, and Timothe, brother, to Filemon, bilouyd, and oure helpere, and to Appia,
(Poul, the bound of Christ Yhesu, and Timothe, brother, to Filemon, bilouyd, and our helper, and to Appia,)

Luth Paulus, der Gebundene Christi JEsu, und Timotheus, der Bruder: Philemon, dem Lieben und unserm Gehilfen,
(Paulus, the/of_the Gebundene Christi Yesu, and Timotheus, the/of_the brother: Philemon, to_him loved_(one) and ours assistants,)

ClVg Paulus vinctus Christi Jesu, et Timotheus frater, Philemoni dilecto, et adjutori nostro,[fn]
(Paulus prisoner of_Christ Yesu, and Timotheus brother, Philemoni beloved, and helperi our, )

1.1 Argumentum Philemoni familiares litteras facit pro Onesimo servo ejus, scribens ei ab urbe Roma de carcere per suprascriptum Onesimum. Paulus vinctus. Non dicit, Apostolus: quod est nomen dignitatis, sed vinctus, quod est nomen humilitatis: quia non imperat, sed orat. Est enim hic intercessio pro Onesimo: ideo quæ humilitatis sunt commemorat incipiens ab injuria sua, ut dignitatem Epistolæ suæ faceret. Sicut enim peccati causa vinciri opprobrium est, sic econtra pro Christo custodiæ vincula sustinere, maxima gloria est. Eo ergo tempore in custodia erat. Ideo ait se vinctum.

1.1 Argumentum Philemoni familiares letters he_does for Onesimo server/keeper his, scribens to_him away city Roma from/about prison through abovewritten Onesimum. Paulus prisoner. Not/No he_says, Apostolus: that it_is name dignity, but prisoner, that it_is name humility: because not/no commands, but prays. It_is because this/here intercessio for Onesimo: therefore/for_that_reason which humility are recalls incipiens away injuria his_own, as dignity Epistolæ his/her_own would_do. Like because of_sin cause to_be_defeatedri reproach it_is, so econtra for to_Christ/Messiah keepæ chains to_endure, maxima glory it_is. I_am_going therefore at_the_time in/into/on custody was. Therefore/For_that_reason he_said himself bound/tied.

UGNT Παῦλος, δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ Τιμόθεος, ὁ ἀδελφὸς; Φιλήμονι, τῷ ἀγαπητῷ καὶ συνεργῷ ἡμῶν,
(Paulos, desmios Ⱪristou Yaʸsou, kai Timotheos, ho adelfos; Filaʸmoni, tōi agapaʸtōi kai sunergōi haʸmōn,)

SBL-GNT Παῦλος δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ καὶ Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφὸς Φιλήμονι τῷ ἀγαπητῷ καὶ συνεργῷ ἡμῶν
(Paulos desmios Ⱪristou Yaʸsou kai Timotheos ho adelfos Filaʸmoni tōi agapaʸtōi kai sunergōi haʸmōn)

RP-GNT Παῦλος δέσμιος χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφός, Φιλήμονι τῷ ἀγαπητῷ καὶ συνεργῷ ἡμῶν,
(Paulos desmios ⱪristou Yaʸsou, kai Timotheos ho adelfos, Filaʸmoni tōi agapaʸtōi kai sunergōi haʸmōn,)

TC-GNT Παῦλος δέσμιος [fn]Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφός, Φιλήμονι τῷ ἀγαπητῷ καὶ συνεργῷ ἡμῶν,
(Paulos desmios Ⱪristou Yaʸsou, kai Timotheos ho adelfos, Filaʸmoni tōi agapaʸtōi kai sunergōi haʸmōn, )

1:1 χριστου ιησου [45.2%] ¦ ιησου χριστου 𝔐^pt PCK [54.5%]

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1–3: Paul and Timothy greet Philemon

When Christians in New Testament times wrote a letter, they usually started by doing three things. First they wrote the name of the person or people who were writing the letter. Then they wrote the name of the person or people who would be receiving the letter. Then they wrote a Christian greeting. Paul did all three things in his letter to Philemon. He included:

The name of the person who wrote the letter: Paul (verse 1)
The name of the person receiving the letter: Philemon (verse 1)
A Christian greeting (verse 3)

Your translation may be easier to read if each of these three parts is a separate paragraph, as in the GNT, BSB, NIV, and RSV versions.

Carefully consider the best way to arrange the information in verses 1–3 when you translate verses 1–3. What is the usual way to begin a letter in your language? Can you follow that style and still include the three parts from Paul’s opening Section? All of the information in this opening Section should also be in the opening Section of your translation. For example, do not take Paul’s name out of the opening paragraph even though writers in your language put their name at the end of the letter. After you have decided what is the best way to begin a letter in your language, follow that same basic way consistently in your translations of all of Paul’s letters.

Read verses 1–3 carefully in the BSB and the GNT. Then read the following notes and the Display before you begin to translate.

1a

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus,

¶ This letter is from me, Paul. I am in prison because I preach about Jesus Christ.

Paul: The apostle Paul wrote this letter. He began by writing his name. There is no verb in verse 1 in the Greek text. But many languages require complete sentences, so you may need to add a verb. Paul was writing a letter to Philemon, so you could use a form of the verb “write” or the verb “greet.”

It is not natural in some languages for someone to talk about himself in the third person. For example, it would not be correct in some languages for Paul to write, “Paul is writing to you.” In such cases, you could translate this in a first person form:

I, Paul, am writing this letter.

a prisoner of Christ Jesus: Paul was saying, “I am in prison because I do the work of Christ Jesus.” GNT: “A prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.” Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter. But that was not because he did something wrong. People put him in prison because he preached the Good News about Jesus Christ. Those who didn’t believe in Jesus Christ didn’t like Paul’s message, and so they put him in prison.

Christ Jesus: Paul and other authors who wrote New Testament books usually wrote “Jesus Christ” as Paul did in verse 3, instead of the name Christ Jesus, which Paul wrote here. The meaning is the same either way. If people who read your translation will think that Christ Jesus is a different person from “Jesus Christ,” you should use the more common order “Jesus Christ” here also.

1b

and Timothy our brother, To Philemon

I and our^(incl) fellow believer Timothy greet you, Philemon.
Greetings to you, Philemon, from our Christian brother Timothy and from me.

Timothy: Timothy also sent Philemon his greetings. Timothy was Paul’s close friend who worked for Jesus just as Paul did. Bible scholars think that Timothy probably did not help Paul write this letter. But he was with Paul at the time Paul wrote the letter, and he also wanted to greet Philemon.

brother: The word brother in this context refers to a fellow believer in Christ. Paul, Timothy and Philemon were probably not physically related to each other as members of the same earthly family are. Timothy was a younger Christian, a fellow believer of Paul and also of Philemon and the other Christians at Colosse.

The word brother as used among Christians means that they are spiritual brothers and sisters because they are God’s children. They are closely related to one another in this sense. Perhaps you can use the term “brother” for men who are Christians and “sister” for women who are Christians (as in verse 2). Or perhaps there is a word that you could use to include both men and women (such as “sibling” in English). If your language has different words for “older brother” and “younger brother,” use “younger brother” here in verse 1 because Timothy was younger than both Paul and Philemon. If “brother” means only a member of the same family in your language and no one will understand a spiritual relationship here, a footnote could explain how Christians used the term then. Or perhaps there may be another term you can use to show how one family member is related to another family member.

To Philemon: This means “We greet you, Philemon.” This was a way people wrote letters in Paul’s time. Philemon, who received the letter, understood the implied meaning “we send greetings.”

Philemon: Philemon was the main person Paul was writing this letter to. Philemon, who lived in the town of Colosse, was an important man and was probably rich. He was also the master of the slave Onesimus. Paul had helped Philemon to become a Christian (see verse 19b).

1c

our beloved fellow worker,

You are a dear friend and you work for Christ like we^{(dual excl)} do.

our beloved: Both Paul and Timothy loved Philemon very much. You could translate the phrase our beloved as “We love you very much.” See Display for verse 1c.

fellow worker: The phrase fellow worker means that Philemon helped to spread the Good News, like Paul and Timothy did. He probably did not work together with Paul in the same place.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

Παῦλος

Paul

Your language may have a particular way of introducing the author of a letter. Use that here. Alternate translation: [From me, Paul] or [I, Paul]

δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ

˓a˒_prisoner ˱of˲_Christ Jesus

Paul was in prison because people in authority did not want him to preach about Jesus. They put him there in order to stop him and to punish him. This does not mean that Jesus had put Paul in prison. Alternate translation: [a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus]

ὁ ἀδελφὸς

our (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Παῦλος δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ καί Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφός Φιλήμονι τῷ ἀγαπητῷ καί συνεργῷ ἡμῶν)

Paul is using the term brother to mean someone who shares the same faith. Alternate translation: [our fellow Christian] or [our companion in the faith] (See: figs-metaphor)

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ὁ ἀδελφὸς

Here, the word our is not in the original, but was necessary for English, which requires that a relationship word indicate who the person is related to. In this case, our would be inclusive, relating Timothy to Paul and the readers as a brother in Christ. If your language requires this, you could do the same. If not, you could follow the original wording, which says, “the brother.”

Note 3 topic: translate-names

Φιλήμονι

˱to˲_Philemon

Philemon is the name of a man.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

Φιλήμονι

˱to˲_Philemon

If it would be more natural in your language, you could include the information that this is a letter in which Paul is speaking directly to Philemon, as in the UST.

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἡμῶν

˱of˲_us

The word our here refers to Paul and those with him, but not to the reader.

καὶ συνεργῷ ἡμῶν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Παῦλος δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ καί Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφός Φιλήμονι τῷ ἀγαπητῷ καί συνεργῷ ἡμῶν)

If it would be helpful in your language, you could state explicitly how Philemon worked with Paul. Alternate translation: [who, like us, works to spread the gospel] or [who works as we do to serve Jesus]

Parallel PHM 1:1

Section 1–3: Paul and Timothy greet Philemon

1a

1b

1c