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

So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper,

I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you.

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.

Since I was confident that you would obey, I wrote to you, because I knew that you would do even more than what I am asking you to do.

I, Paul, have written this letter with my own hand: I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe me your very self.