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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,
• New Living Translation (NLT)I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.

Context of Philemon 1:10

8Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12I am sending him back to you, 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 of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?"
• 2 Samuel 18:5And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom." And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom.
• 2 Samuel 19:37Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you."
• Mark 9:17And someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he 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 4:9and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
• 1 Corinthians 4:15For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
• Galatians 4:19my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish 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