Philemon 1:20

Philemon 1:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
• New International Version (NIV)I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

Context of Philemon 1:20

18But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth thee aught, put that to mine account; 19I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ. 21Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say. 22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.

Philemon 1:20 word by word

ναί, ἀδελφέ, ἐγώ σου ὀναίμην ἐν κυρίῳ· ἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα ἐν Χριστῷ.¶Read the interlinear

• brotherἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• refreshἀναπαύωanapauō · to give restG373
• heartσπλάγχνονsplagchnon · affection/entrailsG4698
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547

Cross-references for Philemon 1:20

• 2 Corinthians 2:2For if I make you sorry, who then is he that maketh me glad but he that is made sorry by me?
• 2 Corinthians 7:4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf: I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction.
• Philippians 2:2make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;
• Philippians 4:1Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
• 1 Thessalonians 3:7for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith:
• Hebrews 13:17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.
• 3 John 1:4Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
• Philemon 1:7For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
• Philippians 1:8For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
• Philippians 2:1If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,
• 1 John 3:17But whoso hath the world’s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?

Commentaries on Philemon 1:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Yea, brother - It is even so, that thou art thus indebted to me. Let me have joy of thee, in forgiving Onesimus, and receiving him into thy favor. In the words , which we should translate, let me have Profit of thee, there is an evident paronomasia, or play on the name of Onesimus. See on Philemon 1:2; (note), Philemon 1:11; (note). Refresh my bowels - Gratify the earnest longing of my soul in this. I ask neither thy money nor goods; I ask what will…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord - “By showing me this favor in receiving my friend and brother as I request.” The phrase “in the Lord,” here seems to mean that, if this request was granted, he would recognize the hand of the Lord in it, and would receive it as a favor from him. Refresh my bowels in the Lord - The “bowels,” in the Scriptures, are uniformly spoken of as the seat of the affections - meaning commonly the upper viscera…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-22Verses 15-22 When we speak of the nature of any sin or offence against God, the evil of it is not to be lessened; but in a penitent sinner, as God covers it, so must we. Such changed characters often become a blessing to all among whom they reside. Christianity does not do away our duties to others, but directs to the right doing of them. True penitents will be open in owning their faults, as doubtless Onesimus had been to Paul, upon his being awakened…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20let me have some benefit: Or do me this favor. The Greek word onaimēn (meaning “favor” or “benefit”) may be a wordplay on the name Onesimus, which can mean “useful” or “beneficial” (compare 1:11).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. let me--"me" is emphatic: "Let me have profit (so Greek 'for joy,' onainen, referring to the name Onesimus, 'profitable') from thee, as thou shouldst have had from Onesimus"; for "thou owest thine ownself to me." in the Lord--not in worldly gain, but in thine increase in the graces of the Lord's Spirit [Alford]. my bowels--my heart. Gratify my feelings by granting this request. in the Lord--The oldest manuscripts read, "in Christ," the element or…Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• In the Lord
• Refresh; Refreshing

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