Bible Strands
Philemon 1:12
I am sending back to you him who is my very heart.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Philemon from his imprisonment, instructing him to receive Onesimus after his flight and conversion.
The words — ἀνέπεμψα (anepempsa) means "I have sent back," and ὃν (hon) translates as "whom."
The thread — The pattern of restored relationships appears in Luke 15:20, where a father welcomes a returning son, and aligns with the forgiveness directives in Matthew 6:14 and Mark 11:25.
Why it lands — The text commands Philemon to accept the returned slave without penalty, requiring a practical demonstration of gospel reconciliation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
Cross-references
- Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
- Mark 11:25 And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”
- Luke 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
- Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
- Jeremiah 31:20 Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
- Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
- Deuteronomy 13:6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known,
- 2 Samuel 16:11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so.