Philemon 1:16

New International Reader's Version

You could have him back not as a slave. Instead, he would be better than a slave. He would be a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even more dear to you. He is dear to you not only as another human being. He is also dear to you as a brother in the Lord.

Cross References

Matthew 23:8

“But you shouldn’t be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have only one Teacher, and you are all brothers.

Acts 9:17

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. He placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “you saw the Lord Jesus. He appeared to you on the road as you were coming here. He has sent me so that you will be able to see again. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 7:22

The person who was a slave when the Lord chose them is now the Lord’s free person. The one who was free when God chose them is now a slave of Christ.

Colossians 3:22

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything. Don’t do it just to please them when they are watching you. Obey them with an honest heart. Do it out of respect for the Lord.

1 Timothy 6:2

Some slaves have masters who are believers. They shouldn’t show their masters disrespect just because they are also believers. Instead, they should serve them even better. That’s because their masters are loved by them as believers. These masters are committed to caring for their slaves. These are the things you are to teach. Try hard to get the believers to do them.

Hebrews 3:1

Holy brothers and sisters, God chose you to be his people. So keep thinking about Jesus. We embrace him as our apostle and our high priest.

1 John 5:1

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children as well.