I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker—
because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.