because I am hearing of your love and of the faith which you hold, not only toward the Lord Jesus Christ, but toward all the saints.

For I have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Still, because of love, in place of an order, I make a request to you, I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner of Christ Jesus:

But I do not wish to do anything without your consent, because I want your generosity to be voluntary and not, as it were, compulsory.

for perhaps because of this he did depart for an hour, that age-duringly thou mayest have him,

Come my brother, let me have joy in the Lord because of you! Refresh my heart in Christ!

Because I am thoroughly persuaded of your obedience, I have written you, knowing full well that you will do by me what I am asking.

And another thing: Prepare a place for me to stay, because I hope that through [an answer to] your prayers I will be returned to you. [Note: Paul was hoping to be released from imprisonment to visit Philemon at Colosse].