I would fain have kept (εβουλομην κατεχειν). Imperfect middle and present infinitive, "I was wishing to hold back." Again from the…

Whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead. "That he might render me the service which I know you would if you were here." The…

Whom I would have retained.—In the original we have here a graceful distinction in two points between the two clauses. Th…

Whom I would have retained with me, that in your place he might have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel: but without your consent woul…

This is the culmination of the appeal. Onesimus has been serving in place of Philemon, already described as a man of great spiritual advancement (v…

Whom I was desirous to keep beside me. This is another argument for appeasing Philemon: Paul is sending him back a slave, whose services, …

Whom I would have retained with me
At Rome, where the apostle was a prisoner:

It does not lower anyone to condescend, and sometimes even to beseech, where, strictly speaking, we could command. The apostle argues from love, ra…

1. Having expre ed his confidence in Philemon’s goodne , Paul now states his request.

   He first indicates the person on whose behalf h…