Your love has given me great joy and encouragement,(A) because you, brother, have refreshed(B) the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you(C) on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner(D) of Christ Jesus—

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For we [a]have great [b]joy and [c]consolation in your love, because the [d]hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

The Plea for Onesimus

Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—

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Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:7 NU had
  2. Philemon 1:7 M thanksgiving
  3. Philemon 1:7 comfort
  4. Philemon 1:7 Lit. inward parts, heart, liver, and lungs

For I have derived much joy and (A)comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints (B)have been refreshed through you.

Paul's Plea for Onesimus

Accordingly, (C)though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do (D)what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now (E)a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—

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