Philemon 1:13

For my own sake I should like to keep him with me, so that, while I am in prison for the good news, he might attend to my wants on your behalf.

Open English Bible (US)

In The King James Version

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

In Context

12and I am sending him back to you with this letter – though it is like tearing out of my heart.

14But I do not wish to do anything without your consent, because I want your generosity to be voluntary and not, as it were, compulsory.

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Cross References

1 Corinthians 16:17I am glad Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus have come, for they have made up for your absence;

Ephesians 4:1I beg you, then – I who am a prisoner in the Master’s cause – to live lives worthy of the call that you have received;

Philippians 2:30For it was owing to his devotion to the Master’s work that he was at the point of death, having risked his own life in the effort to supply what was wanting in the help that you sent me.

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 →

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