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.
Berean Amplified Bible — Philemon 1:12
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Philemon 1:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Philemon 1:12
Study Notes — Philemon 1:12
- Context
- Cross References
- Philemon 1:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Philemon 1:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Philemon 1:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Philemon 1:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Philemon 1:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Philemon 1:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Philemon 1:12
- Cambridge Bible on Philemon 1:12
- Barnes' Notes on Philemon 1:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Philemon 1:12
- Sermons on Philemon 1:12
Context — Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
12I am sending back to you him who is my very heart.
13I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will.Cross References
| Reference | Text (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
- What are some ways I can demonstrate selfless love and compassion towards others, just like Paul did with Onesimus?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Philemon 1:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Philemon 1:12
Trapp's Commentary on Philemon 1:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Philemon 1:12
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Philemon 1:12
Cambridge Bible on Philemon 1:12
Barnes' Notes on Philemon 1:12
Whedon's Commentary on Philemon 1:12
Sermons on Philemon 1:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |






