Philemon 8-21
Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
8Accordingly, athough I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do bwhat is required, 9yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now ca prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10I appeal to you for dmy child, eOnesimus, ▼▼ Onesimus means useful (see verse 11) or beneficial (see verse 20)
gwhose father I became in my imprisonment. 11(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me hon your behalf iduring my imprisonment for the gospel, 14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be jby compulsion but of your own accord. 15For this perhaps is why khe was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 lno longer as a bondservant ▼▼Or slave; twice in this verse (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)
but more than a bondservant, as na beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, oboth in the flesh and in the Lord. 17So if you consider me pyour partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 qI, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. rRefresh my heart in Christ.
21 sConfident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
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