because I hear of your love and of your faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints (God’s people).

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

because of the love I rather entreat, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ;

But I do not wish to do anything without your consent, because I want your generosity to be voluntary and not, as it were, compulsory.

for perhaps because of this he did depart for an hour, that age-duringly thou mayest have him,

Yes, Brother, let me gain something from you because of your union with the Lord. Cheer my heart by your Christlike spirit.

Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you [because I] know that you will do even beyond what I say.

And another thing: Prepare a place for me to stay, because I hope that through [an answer to] your prayers I will be returned to you. [Note: Paul was hoping to be released from imprisonment to visit Philemon at Colosse].