Philemon 7-9
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Plea for Onesimus. 7 For I have experienced much joy and encouragement[a] from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother.(A) 8 Therefore, although I have the full right[b] in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man,[c] and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus.(B)
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- 7 Encouragement: the Greek word paraklēsis is cognate with the verb translated “urge” in Phlm 9, 10, and serves as an introduction to Paul’s plea. Hearts: literally, “bowels,” expressing in Semitic fashion the seat of the emotions, one’s “inmost self.” The same Greek word is used in Phlm 12 and again in Phlm 20, where it forms a literary inclusion marking off the body of the letter.
- 8 Full right: often translated “boldness,” the Greek word parrēsia connotes the full franchise of speech, as the right of a citizen to speak before the body politic, claimed by the Athenians as their privilege (Euripides).
- 9 Old man: some editors conjecture that Paul here used a similar Greek word meaning “ambassador” (cf. Eph 6:20). This conjecture heightens the contrast with “prisoner” but is totally without manuscript support.
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