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Philemon 1:12

Philemon 1:12 in Multiple Translations

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

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

whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:

Whom I have sent back to you, him who is my very heart:

I send him to you with my fondest wishes.

Whome I haue sent againe: thou therefore receiue him, that is mine owne bowels,

whom I did send again, and thou him (that is, my own bowels) receive,

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

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

Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels.

Although ◄he is as dear to me as/I love him as much as I love► [MET] my own self [MTY], I am sending him back to you.

I love Onesimus so much that he is like a part of me. But I’m sending him back to you.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Philemon 1:12

BAB
Word Study

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Philemon 1:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK συ δε αυτον τουτ εστιν τα εμα σπλαγχνα προσλαβου
συ su G4771 you Pron-2NS
δε de G1161 then Conj
αυτον autos G846 it/s/he Pron-ASM
τουτ ohutos G3778 this/he/she/it Dem-NSN
εστιν eimi G1510 to be Verb-PAI-3S
τα ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APN
εμα emos G1699 mine S-1SAPN
σπλαγχνα splagchnon G4698 affection/entrails Noun-APN
προσλαβου proslambanō G4355 to take Verb-2AMM-2S
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Philemon 1:12

συ su G4771 "you" Pron-2NS
This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.
Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
αυτον autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-ASM
This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.
Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.
τουτ ohutos G3778 "this/he/she/it" Dem-NSN
This refers to a specific person or thing, like when Jesus says 'this is my body' in Matthew 26:26 and Mark 14:22.
Definition: οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; __1. as subst., this one, he; __(a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; __(b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; __(with) proleptic (referring to what follows): before ἵνα (Bl., §69, 6), Luk.1:43, Jhn.3:19 (and freq.) 15:8, Rom.14:9, al.; before ὅτι, Luk.10:11, Jhn.9:3o, Act.24:14, Rom.2:3, al.; ὅπως, Rom.9:17; ἐάν, Jhn.13:35; __(d) special idioms: τοῦτο μὲν . . . τ. δέ (cl), partly . . . partly. Heb.10:33; καὶ τοῦτο (τοῦτον, ταῦτα), and that (him) too, Rom.13:11, 1Co.2:2, Heb.11:12; τοῦτ᾽ ἐστιν, Mat.27:46. __2. As adj., with subst.; __(a) with art. __(α) before the art.: Mat.12:32, Mrk.9:29, Luk.7:44, Jhn.4:15, Rom.11:24, Rev.19:9, al.; __(β) after the noun: Mat.3:9, Mrk.12:16, Luk.11:31, Jhn.4:13, Act.6:13, Rom.15:28, 1Co.1:20, Rev.2:24, al.; __(b) with subst. anarth. (with predicative force; Bl., §49, 4): Luk.1:36 2:2 24:21, Jhn.2:11 4:54 21:14, 2Co.13:1. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1281 NT verses. KJV: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who See also: 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 1:11.
εστιν eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-PAI-3S
To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.
Definition: εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. __I. As substantive verb. __1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. __2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. __3. to be present, be in a place, have come: Mat.2:13, 15, Mrk.1:45, 5:21, 15:40, Luk.1:80, 5:29, Jhn.7:30, al.; before εἰς, Mrk.2:1; before ἐκ, (ἐξ), Mat.1:20, 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Jhn.3:31, al. __4. Impers., ἔστι, ἦν, etc.; __(a) there is (Fr. il y a), was, etc.: Mat.16:28, Luk.16:19, Jhn.3:1, 5:2, Rom.3:10, al.; with dative (of the possessor; Bl., §37, 3), Mat.16:22, Luk.1:7, Jhn.18.10, Rom.9:2, al.; ἔστιν ὅς, ὅστις (chiefly in pl), Mat.16:28, 19:2, Mrk.9:1, al.; __(b) with inf., = ἔξεστιν (which see), it is possible: Heb.9:5, 1Co.11:20, RV (but see ICC, in l.). __II. As copula uniting subject and predicate. __1. Expressing simply identity or equivalence: Mat.5:13, 14:15, Luk.1:18, 19, Jhn.1:1, 4:19, Rev.3:9, al. mult. __2. Explicative, as in parable, figure, type, etc.: Mat.13:19, 1Co.9:2, 10:4, 11:25, Gal.4:24, Rev.17:15, al.; ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν, Mat.27:46, Mrk.7:2, Rom.7:18 al.; ὅ ἐστιν, Mrk.3:17, Col.1:24, Heb.7:2, al.; akin to this is the sacramental usage: Mat.26:26-28, Mrk.14:22, 24, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24 (see ICC on Mk, I Co, ll. with; DB, iii, 148 f.). __3. C. genitive: qual., etc., Mrk.5:42, Luk.3:23, 1Co.14:33, Heb.12:11, al.; part., 1Ti.1:20, 2Ti.1:15; poss., Mat.5:3, 10, Mrk.12:7, Luk.4:7; of service or partisanship, Rom.8:9, 1Co.1:12, 2Co.10:7, 2Ti.2:19. __4. C. dative (BL, §37, 3): Act.1:8, 9:15, Rom.4:12, 1Co.1:18, 2:14, Rev.21:7, al. __5. C. ptcp., as a periphrasis for the simple verb (Bl., §62, 1, 2; M, Pr., 225 ff.); __(a) with ptcp. pf. (cl.): Mat.10:30, Luk.9:32, Jhn.3:24, Act.21:35, 1Co.15:19, al; __(b) with ptcp. pr. (esp. in impf., as in Heb. and Aram.; Dalman, Words, 35 f.), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Luk.4:31, 14:1, Act.1:10, al. mult., id. for imper. (M, Pr., 180f., 182f.), with ellipsis of εἰμί, Rom.12:9, 10, Heb.13:5, al.; __(with) with ptcp. aor. (cl), Luk.23:9. __6. Seq. εἰς (cf. Heb. הָיָה לְ), a vernac. usage (M, Pr., 71): Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, Heb.8:10, al. __7. C. adv.: Mat.19:20, Mrk.4:26, Luk.18:11, al. __8. Ellipses; __(a) of the copula (Bl., §30, 3): Mat.8:29, 24:32, Jhn.21:22, 23, Heb.6:4, al.; __(b) of the predicate: ἐγώ εἰμί, Mat.14:27, Mrk.6:50, al.; absol. (cf. Deu.32:39; אֲנִי הוּא), Mrk.13:6, Jhn.4:26, al. (cf. ἄπ-, ἔν-, πάρ-, συμ-πάρ-, σύν-ειμι). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.
τα ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APN
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
εμα emos G1699 "mine" S-1SAPN
This word means 'mine' or 'my', showing something belongs to the speaker, as in Matthew 18:20 and John 3:29. It is often used to describe something as one's own.
Definition: ἐμός, -ή, -όν poss. prop. of first of person(s), representing the em­phasized genitive ἐμοῦ, mine, subjectively and objectively, i.e. belonging to, proceeding from or related to me: Mat.18:20, Mrk.8:38, Jhn.3:29 (most frequently in this gospel), al.; absol., τὸ ἐμόν, τὰ ἐμά, Mat.20:15 25:27, Luk.15:31, Jhn.10:14 16:14-15 17:10; = genitive obj. (cl.), εἰς τ. ἐμὴν ἀvάμνησιν, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24-25; with genitive expl., τ. ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου, 1Co.16:21, Col.4:18, 2Th.3:17 (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 69 NT verses. KJV: of me, mine (own), my See also: 1 Corinthians 1:15; John 10:26; Revelation 2:20.
σπλαγχνα splagchnon G4698 "affection/entrails" Noun-APN
The inward parts of the body, this word is also used to describe feelings of pity or sympathy, as seen in Acts 1:18 and Proverbs 12:10. It refers to the seat of emotions and feelings of mercy.
Definition: σπλάγχνον, -ου, τό mostly (in NT always) in pl., σπλάγχνα, -ων, τά, [in LXX: Pro.12:10 (רַחַם, elsewhere rendered by οἰκτιρμοί, Psa.25:6 40:12 and by ἔλεος, Isa.47:6), Pro.26:22 (בֶּטֶן), Wis.10:5, Sir.30:7, 2Ma.9:5 (6), al. ;] the inward parts (heart, liver, lungs, etc.; Lat. viscera): Act.1:18. Metaphorical, of the seat of the feelings and of the feelings themselves (in Gk. poets, of anger, anxiety, etc.), the heart, affections (the characteristic LXX and NT reference of the word to feelings of kindness, benevolence and pity, is found in π.; see MM, xxiii; cf. Lft. on Php.1:8): 2Co.6:12 7:15, Phm 7 12 20, 1Jn.3:17; σ. οἰκτιρμοῦ, Col.3:12; σ. καὶ οἰκτιρμοὶ, Php.2:1; σ. ἐλέους θεοῦ; ἡμῶν, Luk.1:78; σ. Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, Php.1:8.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 11 NT verses. KJV: bowels, inward affection, + tender mercy See also: 1 John 3:17; Luke 1:78; Philippians 2:1.
προσλαβου proslambanō G4355 "to take" Verb-2AMM-2S
To take something or someone involves receiving or accepting it, as seen in Matthew 16:22 and Acts 27:33. This can include taking food, leading someone aside, or admitting them to friendship or hospitality.
Definition: προσ-λαμβάνω [in LXX: Psa.18:16 (מָשָׁה hi.), Psa.73:24 (לָקַח), etc. ;] __1. to take in addition. __2. to take to oneself, take, receive; in NT always mid., -ομαι; __(a) of things: of food, with accusative, Act.27:33; with genitive part., Act.27:36; __(b) of persons: with accusative, Mat.16:22, Mrk.8:32 (see Swete, in l), Act.17:5 18:26 28:2, Rom.14:1, 3 15:7, Phm 17.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 13 NT verses. KJV: receive, take (unto) See also: Acts 17:5; Mark 8:32; Romans 14:1.

Study Notes — Philemon 1:12

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Matthew 6:14–15 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
2 Jeremiah 31:20 Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
3 Mark 11:25 And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well. ”
4 Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
5 Matthew 18:21–35 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlements, a debtor was brought to him owing ten thousand talents. Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. Then the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Have patience with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay his debt. When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and recounted all of this to their master. Then the master summoned him and declared, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed. That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
6 Luke 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
7 2 Samuel 16:11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so.
8 Deuteronomy 13:6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known,

Philemon 1:12 Summary

In Philemon 1:12, Paul is sending back Onesimus to Philemon, and he calls Onesimus 'my very heart', showing how much he cares about him. This verse teaches us about the importance of selfless love and trust in God, just like Paul demonstrated. It also reminds us that as Christians, we are part of a community that values love, forgiveness, and unity, as seen in verses like John 13:34-35 and Ephesians 4:32. By trusting God and loving others, we can experience the joy and peace that comes from following Jesus, as promised in John 15:11 and Galatians 5:22-23.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Paul mean by 'my very heart' in Philemon 1:12?

Paul is expressing his deep affection and concern for Onesimus, indicating that he has become very precious to him, much like the way Jesus loves the church, as described in Ephesians 5:25-30.

Why is Paul sending Onesimus back to Philemon?

Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon as an act of obedience and respect, acknowledging Philemon's authority over Onesimus, as seen in Philemon 1:10-11, and also to give Philemon the opportunity to demonstrate his Christian love and forgiveness, as taught in Matthew 6:14-15.

How does this verse relate to the concept of Christian love and community?

This verse highlights the importance of Christian love and community, as Paul is willing to send back someone dear to him, demonstrating his trust in Philemon's faith and his commitment to maintaining unity and harmony within the church, as emphasized in Romans 14:19 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

What can we learn from Paul's attitude towards Onesimus in this verse?

We can learn about the importance of selfless love, compassion, and humility, as Paul is willing to let go of someone he cares about, trusting that God will work everything out for the good of all, as stated in Romans 8:28, and demonstrating a Christ-like attitude towards others, as seen in John 13:1 and Philippians 2:3-8.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can demonstrate selfless love and compassion towards others, just like Paul did with Onesimus?
  2. How can I trust God to work everything out for the good of all, even in difficult situations, and what role does faith play in this process?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I need to let go and trust God, just like Paul did with Onesimus, and how can I apply the principles of Philemon 1:12 to those situations?
  4. How can I maintain unity and harmony within my church community, and what role does forgiveness and love play in this process, as seen in Philemon 1:12 and other verses like Matthew 6:14-15?

Gill's Exposition on Philemon 1:12

Whom I have sent again,.... From Rome to Colosse, or to Philemon, wherever he was, along with this epistle: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels; meaning his son, who, in a spiritual

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Philemon 1:12

Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: Thou therefore [ su (G4771) de (G1161)] receive , [ proslabou (G4355)] - C Delta f, Vulgate. But 'Aleph (') A G omit.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Philemon 1:12

Whom I have sent again; he comes not of his own head, but upon my persuasion, and upon my errand. Thou therefore receive him; I therefore beseech thee to receive him kindly, and entertain him in thy house. That is, mine own bowels; whom I love as I love my own soul; thou canst not therefore be unkind to him, but it will reflect upon me.

Trapp's Commentary on Philemon 1:12

12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: Ver. 12. That is mine own bowels] Pray for me, mine own heart root in the Lord (said Mr Bradford in a letter to Mr Saunders), Quem in intimis visceribus habeo ad convivendum et commoriendum.

Ellicott's Commentary on Philemon 1:12

(12) Thou therefore receive him.—The word “receive” is not in the best MSS. It is supplied here from Philemon 1:17 (apparently rightly in respect of sense) to fill up a broken construction in the original. Mine own bowels—i.e., my own heart, dear to me as my own soul. There is, indeed, an usage of the word which applies it to children as begotten of our own body. But this is hardly St. Paul’s usage (see 2 Corinthians 6:12; Philippians 1:8; Philippians 2:1; Colossians 3:12; and Philemon 1:7; Philemon 1:20 of this Epistle), though it suits very well with the phrase “whom I have begotten” above.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Philemon 1:12

Verse 12. Whom I have sent again] The Christian religion never cancels any civil relations; a slave, on being converted, and becoming a free man of Christ, has no right to claim, on that ground, emancipation from the service of his master. Justice, therefore, required St. Paul to send back Onesimus to his master, and conscience obliged Onesimus to agree in the propriety of the measure; but love to the servant induced the apostle to write this conciliating letter to the master.

Cambridge Bible on Philemon 1:12

12. whom I have sent again] Lit., “I did send”; the “epistolary aorist,” as in Colossians 4:8, where see note.—How much lies behind these simple words; what unselfish jealousy for duty on St Paul’s part, and what courage of conscience and faith on that of Onesimus! By law, his offended master might treat him exactly as he pleased, for life or death. See Introd., ch. 4, and Appendix M.“No prospect of usefulness should induce ministers to allow their converts to neglect relative obligations, or to fail of obedience to their superiors. One great evidence of true repentance consists in returning to the practice of those duties which had been neglected” (Scott).receive] Welcome; the same word as that in Romans 14:1; Romans 14:3; Romans 15:7; and below, Philemon 1:17.But there is strong evidence for the omission of this word, and (somewhat less strong) for the omission of “thou therefore.” This would leave, him, that is &c., as the true reading. If so, this clause should be linked to that before it;—Whom I have sent back—him, that is, &c.—a bold but pathetic stroke of expression. Such a connexion seems better than that adopted by Lightfoot, who begins a new sentence with “him,” and seeks the verb in Philemon 1:17.mine own bowels] Mine own heart; see on Philemon 1:7. The Greek might, by usage, refer to Onesimus as St Paul’s son; as if to say, “bone of my bone.” But, as Lightfoot points out, this would be unlike St Paul’s use of the word everywhere else; with him, it always indicates the emotions.—Cor, corculum (“sweetheart”), are somewhat similarly used in Latin, as words of personal fondness.

Barnes' Notes on Philemon 1:12

Whom I have sent again - That is, to Philemon. This was, doubtless, at his own request, for: (1) There is not the slightest evidence that he compelled him, or even urged him to go.

Whedon's Commentary on Philemon 1:12

12. Sent again—Sent back to thee. If all slaves sent back had been sent with a like spirit and result, a “fugitive slave law” might have been almost a Christian institution.

Sermons on Philemon 1:12

SermonDescription
F.B. Meyer Our Daily Homily - Philemon by F.B. Meyer F.B. Meyer reflects on the letter to Philemon, emphasizing how our everyday interactions can embody the spirit of Christ. He draws parallels between Onesimus and our relationship w
David Wilkerson Staying Sweet in Spite of Being Hurt by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of Christians becoming bitter and cold instead of staying sweet in spite of being hurt. The speaker emphasizes that even though soci
K.P. Yohannan Bitterness by K.P. Yohannan In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of bitterness in people's lives. He highlights how some individuals are constantly discontent and find fault in everything, whether
David Wilkerson How Bright Is Your Light by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the darkness and despair that exists in the world. He mentions how people try to escape this darkness through drugs and other means, but it
Jackie Pullinger Useful for the Master - Part 1 by Jackie Pullinger This sermon focuses on the power of forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of forgiving others as God has forgiven us, the freedom and healing that comes from letting go of bitter
Paul Washer The Godly Home Part 4 by Paul Washer In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of obedience and submission to authority. He shares personal experiences of his travels and adventures, highlighting the benef
Bakht Singh Bakht Singh Funeral - Part 6 by Bakht Singh This sermon focuses on the power of forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of forgiving others as God has forgiven us, the freedom and healing that comes from letting go of bitter

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