Philemon 7-9

New International Reader's Version

⁷ Your love has given me great joy. It has encouraged me. My brother, you have renewed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul Makes an Appeal for Onesimus

⁸ Because of the authority Christ has given me, I could be bold. I could order you to do what you should do anyway. ⁹ But we love each other. And I would rather appeal to you on the basis of that love. I, Paul, am an old man. I am now also a prisoner because of Christ Jesus.