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.

yet I prefer to appeal to you for love's sake, although I am such as I am, Paul an envoy of Christ Jesus but now a prisoner for Him too;

Once he proved to be useless, but now he is useful to you and me;

whom I have sent back to thee: but do thou receive him, that is, my bowels:

I wanted to keep him with me so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel. forced, but voluntary.

but I would not do a single thing about it without your consent, so that this kindness of yours to me might not seem to come by compulsion but voluntarily.

not as a slave any longer but more than a slave, a dearly loved brother, especially to me and much more to you, both as a servant and as a Christian.

But if he has wronged thee, or owes anything, charge this to me.

I Paul am writing this in my own handwriting, "I will repay you." But I will not mention that you owe me, over and over, your very soul.

But simultaneously also prepare a lodging for me, for I hope that by your prayers I will be granted to you.