King James Version (KJV)

Philemon 1:13

“Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:”

Verse in context — Philemon 1

Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

A personal appeal for forgiveness and reconciliation.