Philemon 1:13
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
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.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
I--emphatical. I for my part. Since I had such implicit trust in him as to desire to keep him with me for his services, thou mayest. I would have retained--different Greek from the "would," Plm 1:14, "I could have wished," "I was minded" here; but "I was not willing," Plm 1:14. in thy stead--that he might supply in your place all the services to me which you, if you were here, would render in virtue of the love you bear to me (Plm 1:19). bonds of the gospel--my bonds endured for the Gospel's sake (Plm 1:9).
Open source ↗In this epistle we have, I. The preface (Plm 1:1-7). II. The substance and body of it (Plm 1:8-21). And then the conclusion (Plm 1:22 to the end.)
Open source ↗1:13-14 Paul hints at his desire that Philemon choose to free Onesimus to serve as Paul’s helper (also 1:21). The Christian life is a free response to God’s grace (Rom 12:1; Eph 4:1; Col 3:12-13).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me.
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...
I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.
because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.
As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker,