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Plea for Onesimus. For I have experienced much joy and encouragement[a] from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother.(A) Therefore, although I have the full right[b] in Christ to order you to do what is proper, I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man,[c] and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 7 Encouragement: the Greek word paraklēsis is cognate with the verb translated “urge” in Phlm 9, 10, and serves as an introduction to Paul’s plea. Hearts: literally, “bowels,” expressing in Semitic fashion the seat of the emotions, one’s “inmost self.” The same Greek word is used in Phlm 12 and again in Phlm 20, where it forms a literary inclusion marking off the body of the letter.
  2. 8 Full right: often translated “boldness,” the Greek word parrēsia connotes the full franchise of speech, as the right of a citizen to speak before the body politic, claimed by the Athenians as their privilege (Euripides).
  3. 9 Old man: some editors conjecture that Paul here used a similar Greek word meaning “ambassador” (cf. Eph 6:20). This conjecture heightens the contrast with “prisoner” but is totally without manuscript support.

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement,(A) because you, brother, have refreshed(B) the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you(C) on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner(D) of Christ Jesus—

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