Font Size
Philemon 9-14
The Message
Philemon 9-14
The Message
To Call the Slave Your Friend
8-9 In line with all this I have a favor to ask of you. As Christ’s ambassador and now a prisoner for him, I wouldn’t hesitate to command this if I thought it necessary, but I’d rather make it a personal request.
10-14 While here in jail, I’ve fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter—Onesimus! He was useless to you before; now he’s useful to both of us. I’m sending him back to you, but it feels like I’m cutting off my right arm in doing so. I wanted in the worst way to keep him here as your stand-in to help out while I’m in jail for the Message. But I didn’t want to do anything behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn’t willingly agreed to.
Read full chapter
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
Bible Gateway Recommends
![The Message Deluxe Gift Bible, Brown/Saddle Tan Leather-Look - Imperfectly Imprinted Bibles](https://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/web/f108/465789.jpg)
Retail: $16.99
Our Price: $11.19
Save: $5.80 (34%)
![The Message Outreach Edition, Large-Print, softcover-Case of 10](https://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/web/f108/582513CS.jpg)
Retail: $99.90
Our Price: $64.90
Save: $35.00 (35%)
![4.0 of 5.0 stars](/assets/images/merch/stars40.png?7fcc45be)
![The Message // REMIX 2.0--soft leather-look, textured pieces](https://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/web/f108/913797.jpg)
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $32.99
Save: $7.00 (18%)
![4.5 of 5.0 stars](/assets/images/merch/stars45.png?7fcc45be)
![The Message, Numbered Edition, Personal Size, with Topical Concordance - Slightly Imperfect](https://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/web/f108/211074.jpg)
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $18.69
Save: $11.30 (38%)