Philemon 1:11
Once he was of little service to you, but now he has become of great service, not only to you, but to me as well;
Open English Bible (US)
In The King James Version
Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
In Context
10I plead with you for this child of mine, Onesimus, to whom, in my prison, I have become a father.
12and I am sending him back to you with this letter – though it is like tearing out of my heart.
Cross References
Luke 15:24for here is my son who was dead, and is alive again, was lost, and is found.’ So they began making merry.
Luke 17:10And so with you – when you have done all that you have been told, still say ‘We are but useless servants; we have done no more than we ought to have done.’”
2 Timothy 4:11There is no one but Luke with me. Pick up Mark on your way, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in my work.
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 →