Philemon 1:16

Fellowship and the church Conflict and reconciliation Love for others Identity and self-worth

¹⁴ But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

¹⁵ For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

¹⁷ If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

¹⁸ If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.
KJV: Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
WEB: no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
ASV: no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
DARBY: not any longer as a bondman, but above a bondman, a beloved brother, specially to me, and how much rather to thee, both in [the] flesh and in [the] Lord?
BLB: no longer as a slave, but above a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

ÅB: Ikke lenger som slave, men mer enn en slave -- som en elsket bror. Når han var det for meg, hvor mye mer må han ikke være det for deg, både medmenneskelig og i Herren!
OTB: ikke lenger bare som en tjener, men mer enn det, en elsket bror, spesielt for meg, men hvor mye mer for deg, både i kjødet og i Herren.
B1930: ikke lenger som træl, men mere enn en træl, som en elsket bror, især for mig, men hvor meget mere for dig, både i kjødet og i Herren!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Colossians 3:22
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
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Matthew 23:8
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Read in context
1 Timothy 6:2
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
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1 Corinthians 7:22
For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.
Read in context
Ephesians 6:5–7
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
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1 Peter 1:22–23
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
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Hebrews 3:1
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
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Acts 9:17
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
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