I entreat you on behalf of my own child whose father I have become while in my chains--I mean Onesimus. Formerly he was useless to you, but now--true to his name--he is of great use to you and to me. I am sending him back to you, though in so doing I send part of myself. read more.
It was my wish to keep him at my side for him to attend to my wants, as your representative, during my imprisonment for the Good News. Only I wished to do nothing without your consent, so that his kind action of yours might not be done under pressure, but might be a voluntary one. For perhaps it was for this reason he was parted from you for a time, that you might receive him back wholly and for ever yours; no longer as a slave, but as something better than a slave--a brother peculiarly dear to me, and even dearer to you, both as a servant and as a fellow Christian. If therefore you regard me as a comrade, receive him as if he were I myself. And if he was ever dishonest or is in your debt, debit me with the amount. I Paul write this with my own hand--I will pay you in full. (I say nothing of the fact that you owe me even your own self.) Yes, brother, do me this favour for the Lord's sake. Refresh my heart in Christ. I write to you in the full confidence that you will meet my wishes, for I know you will do even more than I say.