è “åˆ©é—¨ä¹¦ 1:13

Chinese NCV (Simplified)

我本來想把他留在我這裡，使他在我為福音被囚禁時，可以替你服事我。

Parallel Translations

Chinese Union (Simplified)
我 本 来 有 意 将 他 留 下 ， 在 我 为 福 音 所 受 的 捆 锁 中 替 你 伺 候 我 。

Contextual Overview

⁸ So, in Christ, I could be bold and order you to do what is right. ⁹ But because I love you, I am pleading with you instead. I, Paul, an old man now and also a prisoner for Christ Jesus, ¹⁰ am pleading with you for my child Onesimus, who became my child while I was in prison. ¹¹ In the past he was useless to you, but now he has become useful for both you and me. ¹² I am sending him back to you, and with him I am sending my own heart. ¹³ I wanted to keep him with me so that in your place he might help me while I am in prison for the Good News. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without asking you first so that any good you do for me will be because you want to do it, not because I forced you. ¹⁵ Maybe Onesimus was separated from you for a short time so you could have him back forever— ¹⁶ no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a loved brother. I love him very much, but you will love him even more, both as a person and as a believer in the Lord. ¹⁷ So if you consider me your partner, welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

in thy stead: 1 Corinthians 16:17, Philippians 2:30

the bonds: Philemon 1:1, Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 4:1

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 19:21 - ministered Matthew 20:26 - minister Acts 28:20 - this chain

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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

that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the Gospel; the apostle was in bonds, not for any crime, for any immorality he had been guilty of, but for the sake of the Gospel, for professing and preaching that; for this he was an ambassador in bonds, as he elsewhere says, Ephesians 6:20. Now he would have kept Onesimus with him, either to have waited upon him, in his bonds, and to have provided for him the necessaries of life; or to have assisted him in the ministration of the word, in the room of Philemon, who, had he been there, would have been employed in such service; so that if the apostle had retained him, he would have been acting not for himself, but in the room of his master, and doing what he should have done, had he been on the spot. This the apostle observes to prevent an objection that might have been made; that since Onesimus was become so profitable to him, why did he send him back? why did he not keep him for his own service? this he obviates and removes, by signifying he should have done it, but for the following reason.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead - “That he might render me the service which I know you would if you were here.” The Greek is: “for thee” ὑπὲρ σοῦ huper sou; that is, what he should do for Paul might be regarded as done by Philemon himself.

He might have ministered unto me - He might have rendered me assistance (διακονῇ diakonē); to wit, in such a way as one who was in bonds would need.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Philemon 1:13. That in thy stead he might have ministered unto me — As Philemon was one of Paul's converts, he became thereby his spiritual father, and had a right to his services when in need. This was a strong argument, not only to induce Philemon to forgive his servant, but to send him back to the apostle, that he might minister to him in his master's stead.