Philemon 1:16
Good News Translation
And now he is not just a slave, but much more than a slave: he is a dear brother in Christ. How much he means to me! And how much more he will mean to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord!

New Revised Standard Version
no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Contemporary English Version
but not as a slave. Onesimus is much more than a slave. To me he is a dear friend, but to you he is even more, both as a person and as a follower of the Lord.

New American Bible
no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me. But how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me. But how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?

a brother.

Matthew 23:8 But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master: and all you are brethren.

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered into the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus hath sent me, he that appeared to thee in the way as thou camest, that thou mayest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Galatians 4:28,29 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. . . .

1 Timothy 6:2 But they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but serve them the rather, because they are faithful and beloved, who are partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly vocation consider the apostle and high priest of our confession, Jesus:

1 Peter 1:22,23 Purifying your souls in the obedience of charity, with a brotherly love, from a sincere heart love one another earnestly: . . .

1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And every one that loveth him who begot, loveth him also who is born of him.

both in.

Ephesians 6:5-7 Servants, be obedient to them that are your lords according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to Christ. . . .

Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh: not serving to the eye, as pleasing men: but in simplicity of heart, fearing God.

Context
Paul's Appeal for Onesimus
15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee that thou mightest receive him again for ever: 16Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me. But how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord? 17If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself.…
Cross References
Matthew 23:8
But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master: and all you are brethren.

1 Corinthians 7:22
For he that is called in the Lord, being a bondman, is the freeman of the Lord. Likewise he that is called, being free, is the bondman of Christ.

Ephesians 6:5
Servants, be obedient to them that are your lords according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to Christ.

Colossians 3:22
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh: not serving to the eye, as pleasing men: but in simplicity of heart, fearing God.

1 Timothy 6:2
But they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but serve them the rather, because they are faithful and beloved, who are partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

Philemon 1:15
Top of Page
Top of Page