Philemon 1:13 kjv

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

Philemon 1:13 nkjv

whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.

Philemon 1:13 niv

I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.

Philemon 1:13 esv

I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel,

Philemon 1:13 nlt

I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.

Philemon 1 verses

Philemon 1 13 Meaning

Paul expresses his desire to keep Onesimus with him in prison, stating that Onesimus would then serve him in place of Philemon, especially since Paul's imprisonment is for the sake of the gospel. This reveals Paul's assessment of Onesimus's new value as a fellow servant and highlights his own self-restraint and respect for Philemon's rights.

Philemon 1 13 Context

Philemon is a letter from Paul, an apostle then imprisoned (likely in Rome or Ephesus), to Philemon, a wealthy Christian and slave owner in Colossae. The central issue is Onesimus, Philemon's runaway slave, who encountered Paul and became a believer in Christ during Paul's imprisonment. Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon, not as a slave returning under obligation, but as a transformed brother in Christ. Verse 13 explains Paul's personal desire to keep Onesimus to serve him during his gospel-related imprisonment, acknowledging that this service would have effectively been Philemon's service. Paul chooses not to compel Philemon but to appeal, desiring that Philemon's reception of Onesimus would be a willing act of love and partnership in the gospel, rather than a mere obligation or an act under apostolic command.

Philemon 1 13 Word analysis

• whom (ὃν - hon): This pronoun directly refers to Onesimus, emphasizing his personal significance in Paul's situation. The grammatical position subtly elevates Onesimus, focusing on him as a person, not merely property.

• I wished (ἐβουλόμην - eboulomēn): This verb, an imperfect indicative, signifies an ongoing, sustained desire or inclination ("I was wanting," "I had been minded to"). It implies Paul desired to keep Onesimus and perhaps even continued to desire it, but was making a deliberate choice against that personal wish for a greater principle. It reflects thoughtful consideration, not a fleeting thought.

• to keep with me (κατέχειν πρὸς ἐμαυτόν - katechein pros emauton): "To hold back," "to retain," or "to keep him near me." This indicates Paul's recognition of Onesimus's usefulness and the value he brought, contrasting with his prior "uselessness" (v. 11).

• that in your behalf (ὑπὲρ σοῦ - hyper sou): This Greek phrase is crucial. It means "on your behalf," "in your place," or "for your benefit." Paul sees Onesimus's service not just as Onesimus's action, but as a proxy for Philemon's service. This implies a debt or expectation from Philemon, perhaps for his own conversion through Paul (Phlm 1:19), or general Christian fellowship/ministry. This transforms Onesimus's service into a vicarious expression of Philemon's devotion to Paul and the gospel.

• he might minister (διακονῇ - diakonē): From diakoneō, meaning "to serve" or "to minister." It implies humble, willing service, typical of Christian ministry, contrasting sharply with forced labor of a slave. Onesimus's transformed identity enables genuine ministry.

• to me (μοι - moi): Direct recipient of the ministry, highlighting Paul's immediate needs in confinement.

• in my chains (ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς μου - en tois desmois mou): Refers to Paul's literal imprisonment, the physical bonds he suffered for the sake of the gospel. This evokes sympathy and dignity for Paul's situation, as he is suffering for Christ.

• for the gospel (ὑπὲρ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου - hyper tou euaggeliou): "For the sake of the gospel" or "on behalf of the gospel." This elevates Paul's suffering from a personal misfortune to a purposeful suffering in service of the good news of Christ. It defines the specific, honorable reason for his imprisonment, which makes the requested ministry sacred.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "whom I wished to keep with me": This phrase immediately establishes Paul's personal desire. It showcases his longing for companionship and aid while imprisoned, revealing a very human need for support. Yet, his phrasing indicates he consciously chose to set this desire aside out of respect for Philemon's rights and God's order. It speaks to Paul's discipline and prioritizing relationships over his personal convenience.
  • "that in your behalf he might minister to me": This powerful clause describes the ideal arrangement in Paul's mind. Onesimus, transformed and "useful," could serve Paul as Philemon's personal representative, effectively fulfilling Philemon's potential duty or service to Paul. This concept underscores the new bonds of spiritual kinship in Christ, where believers serve each other and even stand in for one another. It shifts Onesimus from property to minister, highlighting his transformed status and Philemon's potential spiritual investment in Paul's well-being.
  • "in my chains for the gospel": This specific context provides the weighty justification for Paul's desire for ministry. It clarifies that Paul is not imprisoned for wrongdoing, but for faithfully proclaiming the gospel. Service rendered to Paul in this state is not just a personal kindness but an act of support for the spread of God's kingdom. It invests Onesimus's potential service with profound theological significance, linking it directly to the expansion of the gospel message and Christian witness amidst suffering.

Philemon 1 13 Bonus section

Paul's phrasing "in your behalf" can also be interpreted to mean "to compensate for your absence." This implies Philemon would have ideally been there to serve Paul, and Onesimus could fill that void. This deepens the appeal, making Onesimus a living connection between Philemon and Paul in their shared mission. This letter serves as a potent, though indirect, critique of the existing social structure of slavery, demonstrating how gospel principles could transform it from within without directly advocating for its immediate abolition. The value of an individual in Christ supersedes all societal distinctions, including that of master and slave. The choice of Onesimus's name, meaning "useful," becomes profoundly ironic and symbolic in this letter, especially when contrasted with Paul's description of his former "uselessness" to Philemon (v. 11), emphasizing the transformative power of salvation in Christ.

Philemon 1 13 Commentary

Philemon 1:13 unveils Paul's deep longing for companionship and practical aid while enduring imprisonment, identifying Onesimus as a newly "useful" instrument for ministry. The phrase "I wished to keep with me" shows his genuine human desire, tempered by an apostolic wisdom that values voluntary submission and brotherly love over dictatorial authority. Paul articulates the innovative concept that Onesimus's service would effectively be Philemon's, thereby spiritualizing a master-slave dynamic and elevating Onesimus's newfound spiritual capacity. This suggests Paul believed Philemon might himself want to serve Paul, possibly feeling a spiritual debt for Paul having led him to Christ (Phlm 1:19). The emphasis "in my chains for the gospel" casts Paul's suffering not as a mere hardship but as an honorable sacrifice for the kingdom, making any aid given to him a participation in gospel work. This verse beautifully portrays Paul's humility, his commitment to reconciliation, and his ability to see transformed individuals as agents of God's work, irrespective of their former status. It underscores that true Christian service is motivated by love and done for the Lord, even in challenging circumstances.

• Examples:
  • A child offering their saved allowance to help a missionary family, seen by the family as a demonstration of their parents' generosity.
  • A volunteer serving meals at a shelter in a city their church committed to support, thus representing their church's outreach.
  • A team member stepping in for a colleague during a personal crisis, understanding their help contributes to the collective team goal.