Philemon 1:11

1:11 who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you ¹  and me.

Philemon 1:18

1:18 Now if he has defrauded you of anything or owes you anything, charge what he owes ²  to me.

Philemon 1:16

1:16 no longer as a slave, ³  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 ⁴  and in the Lord.

[1:11]  ¹ tc ‡ A correlative καί (kai, “both you”) is found in a few witnesses (א*^,c F G 33 104 pc), perhaps either to underscore the value of Onesimus or in imitation of the νυνὶ δὲ καί (nuni de kai) in v. 9. The lack of καί is read by most witnesses, including א² A C D 0278 1739 1881 Ï it. Although a decision is difficult, the shorter reading has a slight edge in both internal and external evidence. NA²⁷ places the καί in brackets, indicating some doubts as to its authenticity.

[1:18]  ² tn Grk “charge it to me.”

[1:16]  ³ tn Although the Greek word δοῦλος (doulos) is sometimes translated “servant” here (so KJV), the word “slave” is a much more candid and realistic picture of the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus. In the Greco-Roman world of the 1st century the slave was considered a “living tool” of the master. The slave was “property” in every sense of the word. This understanding heightens the tense scenario that is in view here. It is likely that Onesimus may have even feared for his life upon returning to Colossae. Undoubtedly Paul has asked this runaway slave to return to what could amount to a potentially severe and life-endangering situation.

[1:16]  ⁴ tn Grk “in the flesh.”