14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will. 15 For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but even more to you, both in the flesh(A) and in the Lord.[a](B)

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Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:16 Both physically and spiritually

14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced(A) but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave,(B) but better than a slave, as a dear brother.(C) He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

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