Philemon 1:17
What does Philemon 1:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Philemon 1:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Philemon 1:17 means
“If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.” Paul leverages their partnership to ask for identification: treat Onesimus as if he were Paul. This is a bold request grounded in shared fellowship in Christ. By equating reception of Onesimus with reception of Paul, he removes any barrier of status and invites Philemon to see Christ’s work in this man. The language echoes the gospel pattern of representation and welcome—standing in another’s place so that they might be received. Paul’s credibility becomes a bridge for Onesimus, turning a potentially hostile homecoming into an embrace befitting partners in the Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If then you take me to be your friend and brother, take him in as myself.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862If, then, with me thou hast fellowship, receive him as me,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If therefore thou holdest me to be a partner [with thee], receive him as me;
Context
Having defined Onesimus as a beloved brother, Paul now translates that into a concrete action: welcome him with the honor you would give Paul himself. This sets up the next step in verses 18–19, where Paul addresses any practical objections—losses or debts—by offering to pay them. The appeal moves from identity to hospitality to restitution, answering both relational and material concerns.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 3:14
for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end:
- Philippians 1:7
even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace.
- Ephesians 3:6
to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
- Philemon 1:10
I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
- Philemon 1:12
whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:
- 1 Peter 5:1
The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: