The Passion Translation New Testament Masterpiece Edition (2020 edition) : with Psalms, Proverbs and Song of Songs (The Illustrated Passion Translation) (The Passion Translation (TPT))

by Brian Simmons

8Even though I have enough boldness in Christ that I could command you to do what is proper, 9–10I’d much rather make an appeal because of our friendship. So here I am, an old man,e a prisoner for Christ, making my loving appeal to you. It is on behalf of my child, whose spiritual father I becamef while here in prison; that is, Onesimus.g 11Formerly he was not useful or valuable to you, but now he is valuable to both of us. 12He is my very heart,h and I’ve sent him back to you with this letter. 13I would have preferred to keep him at my side so that he could take your place as my helper during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel.i 14However, I did not want to make this decision without your consent, so that your act of kindnessj would not be a matter of obligation but out of willingness.