Philemon 1:15-16 - Compare All Versions

Philemon 1:15-16 NIV (New International Version)

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

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Philemon 1 NIV

Philemon 1:15-16 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)

For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

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Philemon 1 ESV

Philemon 1:15-16 NLT (New Living Translation)

It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

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Philemon 1 NLT

Philemon 1:15-16 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave — as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh  and in the Lord.

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Philemon 1 CSB

Philemon 1:15-16 KJV (King James Version)

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

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Philemon 1 KJV

Philemon 1:15-16 NKJV (New King James Version)

For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

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Philemon 1 NKJV

Philemon 1:15-16 MSG (The Message)

Maybe it’s all for the best that you lost him for a while. You’re getting him back now for good—and no mere slave this time, but a true Christian brother! That’s what he was to me—he’ll be even more than that to you.

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Philemon 1 MSG

Philemon 1:15-16 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)

For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Philemon 1:15-16 AMP (Amplified Bible)

Perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, so that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but [as someone] more than a slave, as a brother [in Christ], especially dear to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh [as a servant] and in the Lord [as a fellow believer]. [Col 4:9]

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Philemon 1 AMP

Philemon 1:15-16 NET (New English Translation)

For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.

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Philemon 1 NET