Hence, although in Christ I would feel quite free to order you to do your duty,

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 would have liked to keep him with me, to wait on me in your stead while I wear these chains for the good news,

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.

For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally,

So, if you consider me a comrade, take him to your bosom as you would me.

Yes, brother, I would like some return myself from you in the Lord's work. Through Christ refresh my heart.

Since I was confident that you would obey, I wrote to you, because I knew that you would do even more than what I am asking you to do.