Paul's Appeal for Onesimus' Acceptance and Reconciliation
Philemon 1:8-25
8Therefore, having much boldness in Christ to command you what is fitting,9I plead all the more through love, being such a one as Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus.10I plead with you concerning my child, whom I begot in my chains—Onesimus—11who was once useless to you but is now useful both to you and to me.12I am sending him back to you, him who is my very affection.13I wanted to keep him with me so that he might serve me on your behalf in the chains of the gospel,14but I wished to do nothing without your consent, so that your good deed might not be by compulsion but voluntary.15For perhaps he was separated from you for a while for this reason, that you might have him back forever,16no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me, and how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.17Therefore, if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.18And if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account.19I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—so that I need not say to you that you owe me even yourself besides.20Yes, brother, may I have joy in you in the Lord; refresh my affection in Christ.21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.22At the same time, prepare lodging for me as well, for I hope that through your prayers I will be granted to you.23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings,24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.