Philemon 1:20
ESV
Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
NIV
I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
NASB
Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
CSB
Yes, brother, may I benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
NLT
Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.
KJV
Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
NKJV
Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
What does Philemon 1:20 mean?
Paul calls Philemon his "brother." This same word is also used in this letter in reference to Timothy (Philemon 1:1), Onesimus (Philemon 1:16), and now twice of Philemon (Philemon 1:7, 20). All of these men were to be seen as equals, as brothers in Christ.Paul is directly asking for a benefit from Philemon. Paul was not asking for money, but rather a "yes" to his request regarding Onesimus. Philemon was to both forgive Onesimus and free him from his role as bondservant. The "heart" was already mentioned in verse 7, which described how Philemon's actions refreshed the hearts of the Christians of Colossae. Paul also called Onesimus his "very heart" (Philemon 1:12). Philemon now had the opportunity to personally refresh Paul's heart, by granting his request.
