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Plea for Onesimus. For I have experienced much joy and encouragement[a] from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother.(A) Therefore, although I have the full right[b] in Christ to order you to do what is proper, I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man,[c] and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus.(B) 10 I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment,(C) 11 who was once useless to you but is now useful[d] to [both] you and me. 12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13 I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve[e] me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel,(D) 14 but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.(E) 15 Perhaps this is why he was away from[f] you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man[g] and in the Lord.(F) 17 So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me. 18 [h]And if he has done you any injustice or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, write this in my own hand: I will pay. May I not tell you that you owe me your very self.(G) 20 Yes, brother, may I profit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

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Footnotes

  1. 7 Encouragement: the Greek word paraklēsis is cognate with the verb translated “urge” in Phlm 9, 10, and serves as an introduction to Paul’s plea. Hearts: literally, “bowels,” expressing in Semitic fashion the seat of the emotions, one’s “inmost self.” The same Greek word is used in Phlm 12 and again in Phlm 20, where it forms a literary inclusion marking off the body of the letter.
  2. 8 Full right: often translated “boldness,” the Greek word parrēsia connotes the full franchise of speech, as the right of a citizen to speak before the body politic, claimed by the Athenians as their privilege (Euripides).
  3. 9 Old man: some editors conjecture that Paul here used a similar Greek word meaning “ambassador” (cf. Eph 6:20). This conjecture heightens the contrast with “prisoner” but is totally without manuscript support.
  4. 11 Useless…useful: here Paul plays on the name Onesimus, which means “useful” or “beneficial.” The verb translated “profit” in Phlm 20 is cognate.
  5. 13 Serve: the Greek diakoneō could connote a ministry.
  6. 15 Was away from: literally, “was separated from,” but the same verb means simply “left” in Acts 18:1. It is a euphemism for his running away.
  7. 16 As a man: literally, “in the flesh.” With this and the following phrase, Paul describes the natural and spiritual orders.
  8. 18–19 Charge it to me…I will pay: technical legal and commercial terms in account keeping and acknowledgment of indebtedness.