Philemon 8-14
Revised Standard Version
Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an ambassador[a] and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Ones′imus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful[b] to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will.
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- Philemon 1:9 Or an old man
- Philemon 1:11 The name Onesimus means useful or (compare verse 20) beneficial
Philemon 8-14
American Standard Version
8 Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting, 9 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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- Philemon 1:9 Or, an ambassador, and now etc.
- Philemon 1:10 The Greek word means Helpful. Compare verse 20 margin.
- Philemon 1:13 Greek good tidings. See marginal note on Mt. 4:23.
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