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

8So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper, 9I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well. I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12I am sending back to you him who is my very heart.

Philemon 1:10 word by word

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

• I appealπαρακαλέωparakaleō · to plead/comfortG3870
• to youσύsu · youG4771
• forπερίperi · aboutG4012
• myἐμόςemos · mineG1699
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• childτέκνονteknon · childG5043
• OnesimusὈνήσιμοςO̓nēsimos · OnesimusG3682
• whoseὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• father I becameγεννάωgennaō · to begetG1080
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• chainsδεσμόςdesmon desmos · chainG1199

Cross-references for Philemon 1:10

• 2 Samuel 9:1Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”
• 2 Samuel 18:5Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom.
• 2 Samuel 19:37Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.”
• Mark 9:17Someone in the crowd replied, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a spirit that makes him mute.
• 1 Timothy 1:2To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Colossians 4:9With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
• 1 Corinthians 4:15Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
• Galatians 4:19My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in 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