Philemon 1:20
“Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.”
What does Philemon 1:20 mean?
Paul is asking Philemon for a personal favor, but he frames it in a way that shows deep affection. He's appealing to their shared faith and their relationship as fellow believers, calling Philemon "brother" and reminding him that their connection matters in the context of following Jesus. When Paul asks to "have joy" from Philemon and to be "refreshed," he's essentially saying: your willingness to do what I'm asking would mean everything to me, and it would strengthen my spirit. This is Paul's gentle but heartfelt way of pressing his request (to treat the enslaved person Onesimus with grace) by appealing to their Christian love for one another. It's a reminder that sometimes our choices affect not just the person we're helping, but everyone who loves us and is watching our faith in action.