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Therefore, (A)though I have much boldness in Christ to command you to do what is (B)proper, yet for love’s sake I rather (C)plead with you—since I am such a person as Paul, [a]the (D)aged, and now also (E)a prisoner of (F)Christ Jesus—

Plea for Onesimus

10 I (G)plead with you for my (H)child [b](I)Onesimus, of whom I became a [c]father in my chains, 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, my very heart, 13 whom I intended to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my (J)chains for the gospel, 14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would (K)not be, in effect, by compulsion but voluntarily.

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Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:9 Or an ambassador
  2. Philemon 1:10 Useful
  3. Philemon 1:10 Or begotten

Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting, yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul [a]the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus: 10 I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, [b]Onesimus, 11 who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me: 12 whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart: 13 whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the [c]gospel: 14 but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.

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Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:9 Or, an ambassador, and now etc.
  2. Philemon 1:10 The Greek word means Helpful. Compare verse 20 margin.
  3. Philemon 1:13 Greek good tidings. See marginal note on Mt. 4:23.