Philemon 1:23
What does Philemon 1:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Philemon 1:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Philemon 1:23 means
“Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee.” Epaphras was associated with the churches in Colossae and nearby cities. Calling him a fellow-prisoner shows solidarity in suffering for Christ. His greeting implies that trusted leaders are aware of this situation and stand with Paul’s appeal. It reminds Philemon that the bonds of Christian fellowship extend beyond his house-church. The presence of Epaphras’s greeting lends weight and warmth; the concerns of this letter are not private whims but part of the larger life of the gospel shared among faithful workers and congregations.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;
KJV
King James Version · 1611There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Epaphras, my brother-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his love;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Salute thee doth Epaphras, (my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus,)
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Epaphras salutes thee, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus;
Context
As Paul draws to a close, he includes greetings from co-laborers, beginning with Epaphras, whose ministry ties to Colossae give particular relevance. These greetings reinforce the communal nature of Christian life and subtly encourage Philemon to act in step with the wider fellowship. Verse 24 will add more names—Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke—expanding the circle of concern and unity before the final benediction.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
- Colossians 1:7
even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
- Romans 16:7
Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me.
- Colossians 4:10
Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him),