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

I would rather intreat thee out of love to me, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner too for the sake of Jesus Christ.

whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.

For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever,

If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive 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.