Philemon 1:10

⁸ So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper,

⁹ I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.

I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.

¹¹ Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

¹² I am sending back to you him who is my very heart.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.
KJV: I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
WEB: I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have become the father of in my chains,
ASV: I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
DARBY: I exhort thee for *my* child, whom I have begotten in [my] bonds, Onesimus,
BLB: I exhort you concerning my child whom I begot in chains, Onesimus,

ÅB: ber deg for sønnen min, som jeg har avlet mens jeg var i lenker; Onesimus.
OTB: Jeg appellerer til deg for min sønn Onesimus, som jeg har fått i min fangenskap.
B1930: ber jeg dig for min sønn, som jeg har avlet i mine lenker, Onesimus,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Colossians 4:9
With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
Read in context
1 Corinthians 4:15
Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
Read in context
Galatians 4:19
My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
Read in context
1 Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Read in context
Titus 1:4
To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Read in context
2 Samuel 19:37–38
Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.”
Read in context
2 Samuel 18:5
Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom.
Read in context
2 Samuel 9:1–7
Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”
Read in context