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 has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account. 19I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self. Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. 22In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

Philemon 1:20 word by word

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

• Yesναίnai · yesG3483
• brotherἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• let me have some benefitἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• let me have some benefitὀνίνημιoninēmi · to have joyG3685
• from youσύsu · youG4771
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• Refreshἀναπαύωanapauō · to give restG373
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• heartσπλάγχνονsplagchnon · affection/entrailsG4698
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547

Cross-references for Philemon 1:20

• 2 Corinthians 2:2For if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved?
• 2 Corinthians 7:4Great is my confidence in you; great is my pride in you; I am filled with encouragement; in all our troubles my joy overflows.
• Philippians 2:2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.
• Philippians 4:1Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:19After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
• 1 Thessalonians 3:7For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.
• Hebrews 13:17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
• 3 John 1:4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
• Philemon 1:7I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
• Philippians 1:8God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
• Philippians 2:1Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
• 1 John 3:17If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can 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