Philemon 1:11
Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
Majority Standard Bible
In The King James Version
Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
In Context
10I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in my chains.
12I am sending back for you to receive him who is my very heart.
Cross References
Job 30:1“But now they mock me, men younger than I am, whose fathers I would have refused to put with my sheep dogs.
Luke 15:24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
Luke 17:10So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
2 Timothy 4:11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry.
Matthew Henry on Philemon 1:9-25
The Apostle's Plea for Onesimus; Salutations. ( a. d. 62.) 8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 13… Read the whole commentary →