For I have had great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints (God’s people) have been refreshed through you, my brother.

I had rather apply to your benevolent temper, and desire you would regard the years of Paul, who am now also a prisoner for Jesus Christ,

I beseech thee for my child Onesimus, whom I begot in my bonds.

A man formerly unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me, whom I sent back.

Whom I have sent back to you, him who is my very heart:

Whom I wanted to keep back for myself, so that in thy behalf he might serve me in the bonds of the good-news.

not as a slave, but in another quality, as a dear brother whom I particularly value, but much more should you, both as he is your servant, and as he is a christian.

Epaphras, who is my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus,

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].