Philemon 1:8-14

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus,[a] who became my son while I was in chains.
11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.
13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.
14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.

Cross References 7

  • 1. 1 Corinthians 1:10
  • 2. ver 1,23; S Ephesians 3:1
  • 3. S 1 Thessalonians 2:11; 1 Corinthians 4:15
  • 4. Colossians 4:9
  • 5. S Acts 21:33
  • 6. ver 10; S Acts 21:33
  • 7. 2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Peter 5:2

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. "Onesimus" means "useful."
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