Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

Philemon 16

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
- 16 no longer as a slave,+ but as more than a slave, as a brother who is beloved,+ especially so to me, but how much more so to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Philemon 16

The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
- 16 οὐκέτι not yet ὡς as δοῦλον slave ἀλλὰ but ὑπὲρ over δοῦλον, slave, ἀδελφὸν brother ἀγαπητόν, loved, μάλιστα mostly ἐμοί, to me, πόσῳ to how much δὲ but μᾶλλον rather σοὶ to you καὶ and ἐν in σαρκὶ flesh καὶ and ἐν in κυρίῳ. Lord.

Philemon 16

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
- 16 no longer as a slave+ but as more than a slave,+ as a brother beloved,+ especially so to me, yet how much more so to you both in fleshly relationship and in [the] Lord.

Philemon 16

The Bible in Living English
- 16 no longer as a slave but above that, a dear brother, dear to me but how much dearer to you both in flesh and in the Lord!

Philemon 16

American Standard Version
- 16 no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Philemon 16

The Emphasized Bible
- 16 No longer as a servant But above a servant—A brother beloved,—Very greatly to me But how much rather to thee—Both in the flesh and in the Lord!

Philemon 16

King James Version
- 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

Philemon Study Notes

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
- 16
  
  as more than a slave, as a brother: Paul here points out that the primary relationship between Philemon and Onesimus would now be that of Christian brothers and fellow workers in the ministry. (Mt 23:8; 28:19, 20) Onesimus may have resumed his life as a slave in Philemon’s household, but it is also possible, as some scholars suggest, that Philemon decided to free him from slavery. (See study note on Phm 12.) Even if Onesimus remained a slave, his Christian faith would make him a better worker, since his behavior would now be governed by godly principles.—Eph 6:5-8; Col 3:22, 23; Tit 2:9, 10; see study note on 1Ti 6:2.