Philemon 1:10-12

¹⁰ I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: ¹¹ Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: ¹² Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

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Other Translations of Philemon 1:10-12

New International Version

¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus,"Onesimus" means "useful." who became my son while I was in chains. ¹¹ Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. ¹² I am sending him-who is my very heart-back to you.

English Standard Version

¹⁰ I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,Onesimus means useful (see verse 11) or beneficial (see verse 20) 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.) ¹² I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.

The Message

¹⁰ While here in jail, I've fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter - Onesimus! ¹¹ He was useless to you before; now he's useful to both of us. ¹² I'm sending him back to you, but it feels like I'm cutting off my right arm in doing so.

New King James Version

¹⁰ I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, ¹¹ who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. ¹² I am sending him back. NU-Text reads back to you in person, that is, my own heart. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,

New Living Translation

¹⁰ I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. ¹¹ Onesimus hasn't been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. ¹² I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Philemon 1:10-12

Commentary on Philemon 1:8-14

(Read Philemon 1:8-14)

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. Unholy persons are unprofitable; they answer not the great end of their being. But what happy changes conversion makes! of evil, good; of unprofitable, useful. Religious servants are treasures in a family. Such will make conscience of their time and trusts, and manage all they can for the best. No prospect of usefulness should lead any to neglect their obligations, or to fail in obedience to superiors. One great evidence of true repentance consists in returning to practise the duties which have been neglected. In his unconverted state, Onesimus had withdrawn, to his master's injury; but now he had seen his sin and repented, he was willing and desirous to return to his duty. Little do men know for what purposes the Lord leaves some to change their situations, or engage in undertakings, perhaps from evil motives. Had not the Lord overruled some of our ungodly projects, we may reflect upon cases, in which our destruction must have been sure.