Philemon 1 · Verse 10

Philemon 1:10

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Philemon 1:10, King James Version

Philemon 1:10 in other translations

BSBI appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.
WEBI appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have become the father of in my chains,
ASVI beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
YLTI entreat thee concerning my child--whom I did beget in my bonds--Onesimus,
DARBYI exhort thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
BBEMy request is for my child Onesimus, the child of my chains,
WebsterI beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

What does Philemon 1:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
10. I beseech thee--emphatically repeated from Phm 9. In the Greek, the name "Onesimus" is skilfully put last, he puts first a favorable description of him before he mentions the name that had fallen into so bad repute with Philemon. "I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus." Scripture does not sanction slavery, but at the same time does not begin a political crusade against it. It sets forth principles of love to our fellow men which were sure (as they have done) in due time to undermine and overthrow it, without violently convulsing the then existing political fabric, by stirring up slaves against their masters.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 10. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus. That is, my son in the gospel; one to whom I sustain the relation of a spiritual father. Comp. 1Timm 1:2. The address and tact of Paul here are worthy of particular observation. Any other mode of bringing the case before the mind of Philemon might have repelled him; If he had simply said, "I beseech thee for Onesimus;" or, "I beseech thee for thy servant Onesimus," he would at once have reverted to his former conduct, and remembered all his ingratitude and disobedience. But the phrase "my son," makes the way easy for the mention of his name, for he had already found the way to his heart before his eye lighted on his name, by the mention of the relation which he sustained to himself. Who could refuse to such a man as Paul-- a laborious, servant of Christ--an aged man, exhausted with his many sufferings and toils--and a prisoner--a request which he made for one whom he regarded as his son? It may be added, that the delicate address of the apostle in introducing the subject, is better seen in the original than in our translation. In the original, the name Onesimus is reserved to come in last in the sentence. The order of the Greek is this: "I entreat thee concerning a son of mine, whom I have begotten in my bonds--Onesimus." Here the name is not suggested, until he had mentioned that he sustained to him the relation of a son, and also till he had added that his conversion was the fruit of his labours while he was a prisoner. Then, when the name of Onesimus is mentioned, it would occur to Philemon not primarily as the name of an ungrateful and disobedient servant, but as the interesting case of one converted by the labours of his own friend in prison. Was there ever more delicacy evinced in preparing the way for disarming one of prejudice, and carrying an appeal to his heart?

Whom I have begotten in my bonds. Who has been converted by my efforts while I have been a prisoner. On the phrase "whom I have begotten," see 1Cor 4:15. Nothing is said of the way in which he had become acquainted with Onesimus, or why he had put himself under the teaching of Paul. See the Intro.,  2. (3.)

(f) "Onesimus" Col 4:9 (g) "begotten" 1Cor 4:15

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus - It is evident from this that Onesimus was converted by St. Paul while he was prisoner at Rome, and perhaps not long before he wrote this epistle.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philemon 1:8-14

It does not lower any one to condescend, and sometimes even to beseech, where, in strictness of right, we might command: the apostle argues from love, rather than authority, in behalf of one converted through his means; and this was Onesimus. In allusion to that name, which signifies "profitable," the apostle allows that in time past he had been unprofitable to Philemon, but hastens to mention the change by which he…

Read the full comment on Philemon 1:8-14 →

Philemon 1:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

παρακαλῶparakalōI exhortG3870
σεseyouG4771
περὶperiforG4012
τοῦtou<the>G3588
ἐμοῦemoumyG1473
τέκνουteknouchildG5043
ὃνhonwhomG3739
ἐγέννησαegennēsaI have begottenG1080
ἐνeninG1722
τοῖςtoistheG3588
δεσμοῖςdesmoischainsG1199
μου,mouof mineG3165
Ὀνήσιμον,OnēsimonOnesimus,G3682

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philemon 1:10

  • Colossians 4:9

    With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:15

    For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

  • Galatians 4:19

    My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

  • 1 Timothy 1:2

    Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

  • Titus 1:4

    To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

  • 2 Samuel 19:37-38

    Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.

  • 2 Samuel 18:5

    And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.

  • 2 Samuel 9:1-7

    And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo–debar. …

  • Mark 9:17

    And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
my son.
2Sa 9:1-7; 18:5; 19:37,38; Mr 9:17; 1Ti 1:2; Tit 1:4
Onesimus.
Col 4:9
whom.
1Co 4:15; Ga 4:19

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philemon 1:9

    Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

  • Philemon 1:10

    I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

  • Philemon 1:11

    Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

Read all of Philemon 1

Philemon 1:10 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Ruégote por mi hijo Onésimo, que he engendrado en mis prisiones,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		je te prie pour mon enfant que j’ai engendré dans les liens, Onésime,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich bitte dich für mein Kind, das ich gezeugt habe in den Banden, Onesimus,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		obsecro te pro meo filio, quem genui in vinculis, Onesimo,