For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.

who, for some time, has been unprofitable to you, but now is very profitable to you and to me:

I would have been glad to keep him with me, so that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel;

but I did not want to do anything without first getting your consent, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.

for perhaps for this reason he has been separated from thee for a time, that thou mightest possess him fully for ever;

having been confident in thy obedience I did write to thee, having known that also above what I may say thou wilt do;