I exhort you concerning my son, whom I begat in my bonds, Onesimus, him at one time unprofitable to you, but now profitable both to you and to me: whom I have sent back to you, him, that is my own heart. read more.
Whom I did wish to have with me, in order that he might minister unto me in your stead in the bonds of the gospel: but without your consent I did not wish to do anything; in order that your good might not be by constraint, but by the free will: for on this account he suddenly departed from you for an hour, that you might have him back forever; no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a brother beloved, especially to me, and much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord: if then you have me a comrade, receive him as myself. If he has wronged you as to anything, or owes you anything, charge this to me. I Paul have written with my own hand, I will pay it: not that I may say to you that you even owe yourself to me. Yea, brother, let me rejoice over you in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ. Having confidence in your obedience I have written to you, knowing that you will do even more than those things which I say.