⁴Brother Philemon, every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God. ⁵For I hear of your love for all God’s people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. ⁶My prayer is that our fellowship with you as believers will bring about a deeper understanding of every blessing which we have in our life in union with Christ. ⁷Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all God’s people.

A Request for Onesimus

⁸For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done. ⁹But because I love you, I make a request instead. I do this even though I am Paul, the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake.^a ¹⁰^*So I make a request to you on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I have become his spiritual father. ¹¹At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful^b both to you and to me.

Read in Logos

Philemon 6: … I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

Footnotes

athe ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake; or an old man, and at present a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.
bThe Greek name Onesimus means “useful”.

Cross references

*1.2: Col 4:17
*1.10: Col 4:9