[Now] I am sending him back to you in person, [as though he were] part of my very self.

But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

Perhaps for this reason you were separated from him for an hour, in order that you might have him back forever,

If therefore you regard me as a comrade, receive him as if he were I myself.

along with [John] Mark [Note: This shows that Mark was now back in the good graces of Paul. See Acts 15:36-40], Aristarchus, Demas [Note: This man later deserted Paul. See II Tim. 4:10] and Luke, who are [also] my fellow-workers. [Note: These men, unlike Epaphras who was imprisoned with Paul, were free to minister for Christ there in Rome].