Philemon 1:12 kjv

Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

Philemon 1:12 nkjv

I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,

Philemon 1:12 niv

I am sending him?who is my very heart?back to you.

Philemon 1:12 esv

I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.

Philemon 1:12 nlt

I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.

Philemon 1 verses

Philemon 1 12 Meaning

Philemon 1:12 reveals Paul's deep personal connection to Onesimus and the significance of his decision to send Onesimus back to Philemon. Paul expresses that Onesimus has become so indispensable to him that parting feels like tearing away a part of himself, referring to Onesimus as "my very heart" or "my inner organs," signifying profound affection and spiritual bond. This act of sending him back is therefore presented not as a mere transaction, but as a great personal sacrifice made in love, to appeal for Philemon to receive him not as a runaway slave, but as a beloved brother in Christ.

Philemon 1 12 Context

The Epistle to Philemon is a profoundly personal letter from Paul, an imprisoned apostle, to Philemon, a wealthy Christian leader and likely a homeowner in Colossae. The central figure is Onesimus, Philemon's slave who had run away, potentially stealing from his master, and subsequently encountered Paul in his imprisonment (likely in Rome). Under Paul's ministry, Onesimus converted to Christianity and became an invaluable assistant and beloved "son" to Paul during his incarceration.

Philemon 1:12 is a pivotal verse where Paul explicitly states his painful decision to send Onesimus back to his master. This act was dictated by Roman law and social custom, which recognized Philemon's legal ownership of Onesimus. However, Paul immediately mitigates this legal reality by expressing the deep spiritual bond he shares with Onesimus, whom he views as "my very heart."

Historically, Roman society relied heavily on slavery, which was not racially based but integral to the economy and social structure. Runaway slaves faced severe penalties, including branding, forced labor, or even death. Paul's letter subtly yet powerfully navigates these societal norms with the radical Christian principle of brotherhood in Christ, urging Philemon to receive Onesimus not merely as a returning slave but as a spiritual brother, reflecting forgiveness and transforming their relationship from that of master-slave to brother-brother within the family of God. The letter implies that Philemon's act of reception should mirror God's own grace and forgiveness toward repentant sinners.

Philemon 1 12 Word Analysis

• I am sending him back: (Greek: ἀνέπεμψα - anepempsa). This verb literally means "I sent up" or "sent back." In official contexts, it could refer to sending someone back to their rightful place or authority, often a superior. Here, it denotes Paul's decisive action to return Onesimus to Philemon. It underscores the legal reality of Onesimus's status as a runaway slave, acknowledging Philemon's legal right to him, while preparing to transform that right with a plea for grace. Paul does not force Onesimus to return; Onesimus's willing compliance indicates his conversion and new character.
• to you—: This emphasizes the direct address to Philemon, making the appeal personal and placing the responsibility for the next action squarely on him.
• him who is: A simple connective phrase, setting up the profound statement that follows, highlighting Onesimus's identity from Paul's perspective.
• my very heart: (Greek: τὰ ἐμὰ σπλάγχνα - ta ema splanchna). This is the most crucial and tender phrase.
  • Splanchna literally means "inner organs" or "entrails" (like the intestines, liver, kidneys), which were considered in ancient cultures as the seat of deep emotions and affections, particularly compassion, tenderness, and love.
  • In a Hellenistic Jewish and New Testament context, splanchna denotes the most intense feelings of compassion, love, or longing that originate from the deepest part of one's being. It's often translated as "heart," "affections," "tender mercies," or "compassion."
  • Significance: By calling Onesimus his splanchna, Paul conveys an unparalleled level of personal attachment and love. He regards Onesimus as if he were his own son or an essential part of himself. This expression is highly significant:
    • It elevates Onesimus from being mere property to being an integral and beloved part of Paul's life and ministry.
    • It reveals the deep emotional cost to Paul of sending Onesimus away, making his act a true sacrifice motivated by Christian principle.
    • It serves as a powerful, empathetic appeal to Philemon, as Paul previously used the word splagchna to describe the joy Philemon brought to other believers (v. 7) and expresses hope that Philemon will refresh his own splagchna (v. 20) by granting his request.
• Words-group: "I am sending him back to you—him who is my very heart.": This full statement encapsulates the tension between worldly obligations and divine love. Paul adheres to the societal norm of returning a slave while simultaneously infusing that action with an unprecedented spiritual plea. It's an act of profound relational diplomacy, urging Philemon to see Onesimus through new eyes – eyes of faith and brotherhood – rather than through the lens of mere legal ownership or past transgression. This phrase demonstrates Paul's willingness to make personal sacrifices for the sake of reconciliation and unity within the Christian community, and to exemplify the transformative power of the Gospel that transcends social status.

Philemon 1 12 Bonus section

• Rhetorical Brilliance: Paul uses highly evocative language to elevate Onesimus's status in Philemon's eyes, effectively preparing Philemon to receive him not as a punishment but as a blessing. The expression "my very heart" (or "my affections") is a direct, tender appeal to Philemon’s own Christian heart and capacity for love, as referenced in Philemon 1:7 ("your heart, brothers, have been refreshed") and Philemon 1:20 ("refresh my heart in Christ").
• The Power of Conversion: The verse underscores the dramatic transformation of Onesimus from a "useless" runaway (Phm 1:11) to someone so spiritually valuable that he is "Paul's very heart" and "useful" (the literal meaning of Onesimus's name) in a profound, spiritual sense. His conversion made him indispensable to Paul.
• Costly Love: Paul's act is a tangible demonstration of costly love. He had come to rely on Onesimus, yet he was willing to surrender his helper for the sake of demonstrating forgiveness and restoring fellowship between Philemon and Onesimus. This mirrors the self-sacrificial love of Christ.
• Subtle Undermining of Slavery: While the letter does not directly command Philemon to manumit Onesimus, the language of brotherhood ("no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother," Phm 1:16) inherently undermines the foundation of Roman slavery. If a slave is "my very heart" and a "beloved brother," how can he continue to be merely property? This laid foundational principles that would eventually contribute to the ethical erosion of the institution of slavery.

Philemon 1 12 Commentary

Philemon 1:12 lies at the emotional core of Paul’s appeal, revealing the immense personal cost he incurs by sending Onesimus back to Philemon. By designating Onesimus as "my very heart," Paul unveils the profound affection and indispensable value he placed on his newly converted brother, who had become a vital companion and helper during his imprisonment. This is no mere returning of a runaway; it is the spiritual father sending away his beloved "son," not out of lack of love, but out of principle – respect for Philemon’s rights and hope for reconciliation that exemplifies Christ's own transforming grace.

The verse is a masterful rhetorical stroke, appealing to Philemon's own empathy and Christian sensibilities. Paul is essentially saying, "To receive Onesimus is to receive a part of me." This framing compels Philemon to respond with a reciprocal act of compassion and grace, recognizing the immense spiritual bond that now overrides past offenses and social distinctions. The entire letter subtly challenges the conventional view of slavery, not through outright abolition, but by fundamentally transforming relationships under the lordship of Christ, where masters and slaves become brothers bound by a deeper spiritual reality. This demonstrates Christian love as a force capable of redefining societal norms and personal status, cultivating forgiveness, and restoring broken fellowship.