Philemon 1:10

Philemon 1:10 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
• New International Version (NIV)that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.
• New King James Version (NKJV)I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,

Context of Philemon 1:10

8Therefore [on the basis of these facts], though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is appropriate, 9yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner [for the sake] of Christ Jesus— I appeal to you for my [own spiritual] child Onesimus, whom I have fathered [in the faith] while a captive in these chains. 11Once he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you as well as to me. 12I have sent him back to you in person, that is, like sending my very heart.

Philemon 1:10 word by word

παρακαλῶ σε περὶ τοῦ ἐμοῦ τέκνου ὃν ἐγέννησα ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς Ὀνήσιμον,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• I beseechπαρακαλέωparakaleō · to plead/comfortG3870
• theeσύsu · youG4771
• forπερίperi · aboutG4012
• myἐμόςemos · mineG1699
• sonτέκνονteknon · childG5043
• OnesimusὈνήσιμοςO̓nēsimos · OnesimusG3682
• whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• I have begottenγεννάωgennaō · to begetG1080
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• bondsδεσμόςdesmon desmos · chainG1199

Cross-references for Philemon 1:10

• 2 Samuel 9:1And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house (family) of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
• 2 Samuel 18:5The king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently with the young man Absalom for my sake.” And all the men heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom.
• 2 Samuel 19:37Please let your servant return, so that I may die in my own city [and be buried] by the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham [my son]; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you.”
• Mark 9:17One of the crowd replied to Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him unable to speak;
• 1 Timothy 1:2to Timothy, my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Colossians 4:9and with him is Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know everything about the situation here [in Rome].
• 1 Corinthians 4:15For even if you were to have ten thousand teachers [to guide you] in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers [who led you to Christ and assumed responsibility for you], for I became your father in Christ Jesus through the good news [of salvation].
• Galatians 4:19My little children, for whom I am again in [the pains of] labor until Christ is [completely and permanently] formed within you—

Commentaries on Philemon 1:10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus - It is evident from this that Onesimus was converted by St. Paul while he was prisoner at Rome, and perhaps not long before he wrote this epistle.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus - That is, my son in the gospel; one to whom I sustain the relation of a spiritual father; compare the notes at 1 Timothy 1:2. The address and tact of Paul here are worthy of particular observation. Any other mode of bringing the case before the mind of Philemon might have repelled him. If he had simply said, “I beseech thee for Onesimus;” or, “I beseech thee for thy servant Onesimus,” he would at once have reverted to…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 It does not lower any one to condescend, and sometimes even to beseech, where, in strictness of right, we might command: the apostle argues from love, rather than authority, in behalf of one converted through his means; and this was Onesimus. In allusion to that name, which signifies "profitable," the apostle allows that in time past he had been unprofitable to Philemon, but hastens to mention the change by which he had become profitable…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10In the Roman world, owners could be harsh towards slaves who ran away. They could whip, mark, or even execute them. Onesimus was Paul's spiritual child because he became a Christian through Paul's ministry.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. I beseech thee--emphatically repeated from Phm 9. In the Greek, the name "Onesimus" is skilfully put last, he puts first a favorable description of him before he mentions the name that had fallen into so bad repute with Philemon. "I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus." Scripture does not sanction slavery, but at the same time does not begin a political crusade against it. It sets forth principles of love to our fellow…Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• Begotten
• Child; Children
• Onesimus
• Philemon, Epistle to

Commentaries on Philemon 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings