Philemon 1:13
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: | I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel. | whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel: |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedPaul has just told Philemon he is sending Onesimus back to him (1:12). Here he says he wanted to keep Onesimus with him, so that Onesimus could serve Paul in prison on Philemon's behalf. In the next verse Paul explains why he did not: he would do nothing without Philemon's consent (1:14). Philemon 1:12Philemon 1:13Philemon 1:14
SpeakingPaul, who calls himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ, writing with Timothy. Philemon 1:1Philemon overview
ToPhilemon, a beloved fellow-worker of Paul, along with Apphia, Archippus and the church in his house. Philemon 1:1Philemon 1:2Philemon overview
Also involvedOnesimus, Philemon's servant who had left him and became a believer through Paul. Paul calls him "my son" and "mine own bowels," meaning his very heart. Philemon 1:10Philemon 1:12Philemon overview
Paul admits a wish he chose not to act on. He would have liked Onesimus to stay and serve him while he was in chains for the gospel, as if Philemon himself were serving Paul. Instead he sent Onesimus back and left the choice to Philemon. Philemon 1:13Philemon 1:14Strong's G1014Strong's G2722Strong's G1247
Paul writes from prison; the letter does not name the city, and Rome is the traditional view. Philemon's house church was most likely in Colossae, though the letter does not name it. Philemon overview
The eventsDuring Paul's imprisonment, after Onesimus had become a believer and before he travelled back to Philemon. Philemon 1:10Philemon 1:12Philemon overview
WrittenTraditional: about AD 60-62, from prison in Rome, at the same time as Colossians. Scholarly: nearly all accept Paul wrote it, but some place the imprisonment at Ephesus (about AD 54-55) or Caesarea (about AD 57-59). Philemon overview
HerePaul shows that Onesimus has become truly useful to him, "profitable to thee and to me" (1:11). He also makes clear he will not use that usefulness to override Philemon. Any kindness must come "willingly," not "of necessity" (1:14). Philemon 1:11Philemon 1:13Philemon 1:14
In the whole of ScriptureThe verse fits Paul's way of appealing for love's sake rather than commanding (1:8-9). Paul speaks elsewhere of believers sharing in his bonds and supplying what others lacked toward him (Philippians 1:7; Philippians 2:30; 1 Corinthians 16:17). Onesimus could have done the same service for Philemon. Philemon 1:8Philemon 1:9Philemon overviewPhilippians 1:7Philippians 2:301 Corinthians 16:17
For readersPaul had authority and a real need, yet he respected another believer's right to decide. Readers see that service and generosity among Christians are meant to be given freely, not pressured. Philemon 1:8Philemon 1:13Philemon 1:14
- would (was wishing)βούλομαι
The lexicon defines this verb as to will, wish, desire or purpose, and notes it can mark a deliberate choice. Here it names a real wish of Paul's, which he then set aside out of respect for Philemon (1:14). Strong's G1014Philemon 1:14
- retained (to keep)κατέχω
The lexicon glosses this as to hold back or detain, and lists this verse under that sense. Paul is saying he could have held Onesimus back from returning, but chose not to. Strong's G2722
- ministered (he may serve)διακονέω
This word means to serve, wait upon, or care for someone's needs, and the lexicon lists this verse among its uses. Paul had in mind help given to him "in the bonds of the gospel." Strong's G1247Philemon 1:13
- bonds (chains)δεσμός
The word means a band or bond and is used of Paul's actual imprisonment in Philippians 1:7 and Philemon 10. "The bonds of the gospel" means Paul was in chains because of the gospel he preached. Strong's G1199Philippians 1:7Philemon 1:10
Takeaway
Paul wanted to keep a helper he loved, but he would not take what was not freely given. Love asks, and it leaves the other person free to choose. Philemon 1:9Philemon 1:13Philemon 1:14
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-23.
The world around the text
Behind this verse
- Asking a friend to plead
- Roman lawyers discussed slaves who went to a friend of their master to ask him to plead for them, and held that such a slave was not counted a runaway. Pliny the Younger wrote a letter of this kind, begging a friend to forgive a freedman who had come to him in tears. Justinian, Digest 21.1.17.4 (citing Proculus)Pliny the Younger, Letters 9.21, 9.24
About AD 60-62. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Philemon and the church in his house lived. A small town in the Lycus valley of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia, about 190 km (120 miles) east of Ephesus.
Who ruled
- Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68
Emperor over Rome, Asia and Judea. Paul, a Roman citizen, had appealed to Caesar, who in these years was Nero. Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:16Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16
- Governor of the province where Colossae stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms
Asia was governed by a proconsul appointed for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. Acts 19:38Strabo, Geography 17.3.25
- Governor of Judea and Jewish client kingFestus and Agrippa IIc. AD 59-62; c. AD 50-90s
Festus and King Agrippa heard Paul's defense in Caesarea and sent him on to Rome as he had asked. Acts 25:12Acts 25:23-26:32
What was happening, AD 58 to AD 64
- AD 58-63WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia
Roman armies under Corbulo campaigned in Armenia until the two empires made peace in AD 63. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31
- c. AD 59-60The churchPaul's voyage to Rome
Paul sailed for Rome as a prisoner, was shipwrecked on Malta, and reached Rome the following spring. Acts 27:1-28:16
- AD 60DisasterEarthquake in the Lycus valley
An earthquake ruined Laodicea, about 16 km (10 miles) from Colossae; Laodicea rebuilt without Rome's help. A later Christian historian says Hierapolis and Colossae fell in the same disaster. Tacitus, Annals 14.27Orosius, History Against the Pagans 7.7.12Colossians 4:13
- AD 60-61WarBoudica's revolt in Britain
Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Colchester, London and St Albans before the Romans defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39
- c. AD 60-62The churchPaul under guard in Rome
Paul lived two whole years in his own rented house, guarded by a soldier, receiving all who came to him. Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians are traditionally dated to these years. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31Philippians 1:13
- AD 61RulersA slave-owner's murder shakes Rome
When the city prefect Pedanius Secundus was killed by one of his slaves, the Senate upheld the old law that all 400 slaves of his household be executed, despite protests from the crowd. Tacitus, Annals 14.42-45
- AD 62The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed
Between governors, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" stoned in Jerusalem. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19
- AD 64The churchFire in Rome, and Nero blames the Christians
After a great fire burned much of Rome, Nero blamed the Christians and put a "vast multitude" to death. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-44Suetonius, Nero 16.2
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient writers on these years and places (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Strabo, Herodotus, Pliny, Roman law). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Greek words
| English | Greek | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| whom | ὃν | hon | G3739 | whichὅς (hos, hē) ὅς, ἥ, ὅ, the postpositive article (ἄρθρον ὑποτακτικόν). I. As demonstr. pron. = οὗτος, ὅδε, this, that, also for αὐτός, chiefly in nom.: ὅς δέ, but he (cf. ἦ δὲ ὅς, frequently in Plat.), Mrk.15:23, Jhn.5:11; ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, the one . . . the other, Mat.21:35, 22:5, 25:15, Luk.23:33, Act.27:14, Rom.14:5, 1Co.11:21, 2Co.2:18, Ju 22; neut., ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δέ, the one . . . the other, some . . . some, Mat.13:8, 23, Rom.9:21; ὃς (ὃ) μὲν . . . (ἄλλος (ἄλλο)) . . . ἕτερος, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, 1Co.12:8-10; οὓς μέν, absol., 1Co.12:28; ὃς μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, Rom.14:2. … |
| I myself | ἐγὼ | egō | G1473 | I/weἐγώ (egō) ἐγώ, genitive, etc., ἐμοῦ, ἐμοί, ἐμέ (enclitic μου, μοι, με), pl. ἡμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς, of person(s) pron. I. (a) The nom. is usually emphatic, when expressed as subjc, as in Mat.3:11, Mrk.1:8, Luk.3:16, al. But often there is no apparent emphasis, as Mat.10:16, Jhn.10:17; ἰδοὺ ἐ. (= Heb. הִנֵּנִי, cf. 1Ki.3:8), Act.9:10; ἐ. (like Heb. אֲנִי), I am, Jhn.1:23 (LXX), Act.7:32 (LXX). … |
| was wishing | ἐβουλόμην | eboulomēn | G1014 | to planβούλομαι (boulomai) βούλομαι, [in LXX for חפץ, אבה, יעץ, etc. ;] to will, wish, desire, purpose, be minded, implying more strongly than θέλω (which see), the deliberate exercise of volition (see Hort on Jas.1:18): with inf. (M, Pr., 205; Bl., §69, 4), Mrk.15:15, Act.5:28, 33 12:4 15:37 17:20 18:15, 27 19:30 22:30 23:28 27:43 28:18, 2Co.1:15, 1Ti.6:9, Heb.6:17, II Jhn.12, 3Jo.10, Ju 5; with accusative, 2Co.1:17; with accusative and inf., Php.1:12, 1Ti.2:8 5:14, Tit.3:8, 2Pe.3:9; of the will making choice between alternatives, Mat.1:19 11:27, Luk.10:22, Act.25:20, 1Co.12:11, Jas.3:4 4:4; εἰ βούλει (cl., a courteo … |
| with | πρὸς | pros | G4314 | to/withπρός (pros) πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. 1. Of place, … |
| myself | ἐμαυτὸν | emauton | G1473 | I/weἐγώ (egō) ἐγώ, genitive, etc., ἐμοῦ, ἐμοί, ἐμέ (enclitic μου, μοι, με), pl. ἡμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς, of person(s) pron. I. (a) The nom. is usually emphatic, when expressed as subjc, as in Mat.3:11, Mrk.1:8, Luk.3:16, al. But often there is no apparent emphasis, as Mat.10:16, Jhn.10:17; ἰδοὺ ἐ. (= Heb. הִנֵּנִי, cf. 1Ki.3:8), Act.9:10; ἐ. (like Heb. אֲנִי), I am, Jhn.1:23 (LXX), Act.7:32 (LXX). … |
| to keep, | κατέχειν, | katechein | G2722 | to hold back/fastκατέχω (katechō) κατ-έχω [in LXX for אָחַז, חָזַק hi., etc. ;] 1. perfective of ἔχω (M, Pr., 116; M, Th., 155), (a) to possess, hold fast: Luk.8:15, Jhn.5:4, Rom.1:18 (Lft., Notes, 251), 1Co.7:30 11:2, 2Co.6:10, 1Th.5:21, Heb.3:6, 14 10:23; (b) to lay hold of, get possession of: Luk.14:9. 2. to hold back, detain, restrain (M, Th., 156 f.): with accusative before τοῦ μή with inf., Luk.4:42; before πρός, with accusative, Phm 13; absol., τὸ κατέχον (ὁ κ.), 2Th.2:6-7. 3. Intrans., as nautical term, to put in, make for (LS, see word): Act.27:40.† (AS) |
| so that | ἵνα | ina | G2443 | in order that/toἵνα (hina) ἵνα, I. adverb (poët., Hom., al.), 1. of place, where, whither. 2. of circumstance, when. II. Conjunction, 1. prop., final, denoting purpose or end (cl.), that, in order that, usually the first word in the clause, but sometimes (cl. also) preceded by an emphatic word (Act.19:4, Rom.11:31 (?), Gal.2:10, al.); (a) with optative (so in cl. after historic tenses): after a pres., Eph.1:17 (but WH, mg., subjc.; see Burton, §225, Rem., 2); … |
| on behalf of | ὑπὲρ | huper | G5228 | above/forὑπέρ (huper) ὑπέρ (when following subst.—poët.—ὕπερ; so as adv., 2Co.11:23), prep. with genitive, accusative I. C. genitive, primarily of place (rest or motion), over, above, across, beyond, hence, metaphorically, 1. for, on behalf of: of prayer, Mat.5:44, Act.8:24, Rom.10:1, Jas.5:16, al.; of laying down life, Jhn.10:11, Rom.9:3, al.; esp. of Christ giving his life for man's redemption, Mrk.14:24, Jhn.10:15, Act.21:13, Rom.5:6-8, al.; opposite to κατά, Mrk.9:40, Luk.9:50, Rom.8:31. … |
| you | σοῦ | sou | G4771 | youσέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; … |
| me | μοι | moi | G3165 | meμέ (me) 1. apostrophe for με. 2. rarely for μοι, (Homer) (ML) |
| he may serve | διακονῇ | diakonēa | G1247 | to serveδιακονέω (diakoneō) διακονέω, ῶ (δίακονος); 1. generally, to minister, serre, wait upon, especially at table, to do one a service, cure for one's needs: absol., Mat.20:28, Mrk.10:45, Luk.10:40 22:26, 27, Jhn.12:2, 1Pe.4:11; ὅσα διηκόνησεν, 2Ti.1:18; with dative of person(s), Mat.4:11 8:15 25:44 27:55, Mrk.1:13, 31 15:41, Luk.4:39 8:3 12:37 17:8, Jhn.12:26, Act.6:2 19:22, Rom.15:25, Phm 13, Heb.6:10. 2. to serve as deacon: 1Ti.3:10, 3:13. 3. C. accusative of thing(s), to minister, supply, supply by ministration: 1Pe.1:12 4:10; pass., 2Co.3:3 8:19, 20.† SYN.: λειτουργέω, which see (Cremer, 179). (AS) |
| in | ἐν | en | G1722 | in/on/amongἐν (en) ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; af … |
| chains | δεσμοῖς | desmois | G1199 | chainδεσμός (desmos) δεσμός, -οῦ, ὁ (δέω), [in LXX chiefly for אסר ;] a band, bond: metaphorically, Luk.13:16; ὁ δεσμὸς τ. γλώσσης, Mrk.7:35 (for this expression in π., see Deiss., LAE, 306 ff.; of actual bonds, see Ruth., Gr., 9). Pl., δεσμοί, Php.1:13; δεσμά (as also in cl.), Luk.8:29, Act.16:26 20:23; genitive, dative, Act.23:29 26:29, 31, Php.1:7, 14, 17, Col.4:18, 2Ti.2:9, Phm 10, Heb.11:36, Ju 6; ἐν τοῖς δ. τοῦ εὐαγγελίου Phm 13.† (AS) |
| gospel; | εὐαγγελίου· | euangeliou | G2098 | gospelεὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) εὐαγγέλιον, -ου, τό [in LXX for בְּשׂוֹרָה, 2Ki.4:10 18:22 18:25 * ;] 1. in cl., (a) a reward for good tidings (Hom.; pl., LXX, 2Ki.4:10); (b) in pl., εὐ. θύειν, to make a thank-offering for good tidings (Xen., al.). … |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.