Philemon 10

New English Translation

¹⁰I am appealing^[a] to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become^[b] during my imprisonment,^[c] that is, Onesimus,

Philemon 1:10 tn Or “I am encouraging…”
Philemon 1:10 tn Grk “my child whom I have begotten.” The adjective “spiritual” has been supplied before “father” in the translation to clarify for the modern reader that Paul did not literally father a child during his imprisonment. Paul’s point is that he was instrumental in Onesimus’ conversion while in prison.
Philemon 1:10 sn During my imprisonment. Apparently Onesimus became a believer under Paul’s shepherding while he [Paul] was a prisoner in Rome.

New English Translation (NET)