Philemon 1:10

I am appealing ¹  to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become ²  during my imprisonment, ³  that is, Onesimus,

I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,

My plea is that you show kindness to Onesimus. I think of him as my own son because he became a believer as a result of my ministry here in prison.

While here in jail, I've fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter--Onesimus!

My request is for my child Onesimus, the child of my chains,

I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.

I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,

I am appealing ¹  to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become ²  during my imprisonment, ³  that is, Onesimus,

¹ tn Or “I am encouraging…”

² tn Grk “my child whom I have begotten.” The adjective “spiritual” has been supplied before “father” in the translation to clarify for the modern reader that Paul did not literally father a child during his imprisonment. Paul’s point is that he was instrumental in Onesimus’ conversion while in prison.

³ sn During my imprisonment. Apparently Onesimus became a believer under Paul’s shepherding while he [Paul] was a prisoner in Rome.