As I send him back, it's like I'm coming along with him.

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.

Yet I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be something

15Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you could have him back forever,

16no longer as a slave but better than a slave as a dear brother, especially to me, but even more so to you, both as a person and as a believer.

17So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.