Appeal on Behalf of Onesimus

⁸ For that reason, even though I have plenty of boldness in Christ to order you to do what is proper, ⁹ I am appealing to you, instead, on the basis of love, just as I, Paul, am an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ I am appealing to you on behalf of my child Onesimus.^[a] I became his father while I was in chains. ¹¹ There was a time when he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. ¹² I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you. Welcome him.^{[b] 13} I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might serve me in your place while I am in chains for the gospel. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your kindness would not be the result of compulsion, but of willingness.