Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
Parallel translations
- WEB whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
- BSB I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
- NKJV whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
- NASB whom I wanted to keep with me, so that in your behalf he might be at my service in my imprisonment for the gospel;
- NLT I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul admits he would have liked to keep Onesimus to assist him in prison on Philemon's behalf. Onesimus had become a real help in Paul's gospel work.
Overview
Paul confesses his personal desire: Onesimus's service would have been welcome during his imprisonment for the "Good News." He frames that service as something Philemon might have rendered through his slave. Yet Paul will not presume on Philemon's generosity, showing that even good desires must yield to honoring others' freedom and conscience.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Eph 3:1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
- Phil 1:7Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
- 1 Cor 16:17I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
- Phlm 1:1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
- Phil 2:30Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
- Eph 4:1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The plea to receive a runaway slave as a beloved brother, charging his debt to Paul's account, is a living picture of how Christ receives us and pays what we owe.
How Philemon 1:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.