I'd have preferred to keep him here with me so that he could have helped me as you would have done while I am in chains for telling the good news.
I'm delighted that Stephanas, Fortunatas, and Achaicus have arrived here, for they did what you weren't able to.
This is why, I, Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ for the sake of you foreigners,
So I—this prisoner in the Lord—am encouraging you to make sure you live according to the principles to which you were called.
It's appropriate for me to be thinking this way about all of you because you mean so much to me. Whether I'm in prison or out there making the good news clear, all of you share God's grace together with me.
because in working for Christ he nearly died, putting his life on the line to make up for the help you weren't in a position to give me.
This letter is sent from Paul, prisoner of Jesus Christ, and from our brother Timothy, to Philemon, our good friend and co-worker;
is appealing to you on behalf of Onesimus who became my adopted son during my imprisonment.
I send him to you with my fondest wishes.