[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 this was why you and he were parted for a while, that you might get him back for good,

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].