16
You could have him back not as a slave. Instead, he would be better than a slave. He would be a dear brother. He is very dear to me. But he is even more dear to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
Reference
Greek: κατέχω (katéchō)
to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively)
Greek: τοῦτον (toûton)
this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)
Greek: νῶτος (nōtos)
the back
Hebrew: gab
the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc.
Greek: οὐδαμῶς (oudamōs)
by no means
Hebrew: ʼîyn
is it not?
Greek: καθά (kathá)
according to which things, i.e. just as
Hebrew: tachath
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: προέχομαι (proéchomai)
to hold oneself before others, i.e. (figuratively) to excel
Greek: ἤπερ (ḗper)
than at all (or than perhaps, than indeed)
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: ἤμην (ḗmēn)
I was
Hebrew: hâvâʼ
to be (in the sense of existence)
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Greek: τίμιος (tímios)
valuable, i.e. (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or (figuratively) beloved
Hebrew: yaqqîyr
precious
Greek: ἀδελφός (adelphós)
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
Hebrew: ʼach
{a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance)}
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Hebrew: qaṭ
a little, i.e. (adverbially) merely
Greek: τίμιος (tímios)
valuable, i.e. (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or (figuratively) beloved
Hebrew: yaqqîyr
precious
Greek: ἐμαυτοῦ (emautoû)
of myself so likewise the dative case , and accusative case
Greek: εἰ μή (ei mḗ)
if not
Hebrew: ʼăbâl
nay, i.e. truly or yet
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: μέν (mén)
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with G1161 (δέ) (this one, the former, etc.)
Hebrew: hêʼ
{lo!}
Greek: ἄλλος (állos)
"else," i.e. different (in many applications)
Greek: τίμιος (tímios)
valuable, i.e. (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or (figuratively) beloved
Hebrew: yaqqîyr
precious
Greek: ἀμφότερος (amphóteros)
(in plural) both
Hebrew: shᵉnayim
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
Greek: καθά (kathá)
according to which things, i.e. just as
Hebrew: tachath
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Hebrew: ʼĕnâsh
a man
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: καθά (kathá)
according to which things, i.e. just as
Hebrew: tachath
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Greek: ἀδελφός (adelphós)
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
Hebrew: ʼach
{a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance)}
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ῥαββονί (rhabboní)
God
Hebrew: ʼâdôwn
sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Verse Explanation
Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus no longer merely as a servant but as something much greater, a beloved brother in the Lord, emphasizing the transforming effect of Christian fellowship upon social relationships.
History
1st century AD: Christianity taught that believers shared a spiritual family identity that crossed major social boundaries within Roman society.