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

18If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul! Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ. 21I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! 22One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.

Philemon 1:20 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Yeaναίnai · yesG3483
• brotherἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• letὀνίνημιoninēmi · to have joyG3685
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• of theeσύsu · youG4771
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• refreshἀναπαύωanapauō · to give restG373
• bowelsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• bowelsσπλάγχνονsplagchnon · affection/entrailsG4698
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962

Cross-references for Philemon 1:20

• 2 Corinthians 2:2For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved.
• 2 Corinthians 7:4I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.
• Philippians 2:2Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
• Philippians 4:1Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:19After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!
• 1 Thessalonians 3:7So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith.
• Hebrews 13:17Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
• 3 John 1:4I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.
• Philemon 1:7Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
• Philippians 1:8God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
• Philippians 2:1Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?
• 1 John 3:17If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

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