7. For I had simcha gedolah (much joy) and chizzuk (encouragement) because of your ahavah, for the levavot of the Kadoshim have been refreshed through you, Ach b'Moshiach.
8. Therefore, though I have much boldness in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach that I could in fact order you to do your chovah musarit (moral duty) of avodas hakodesh (holy service),
9. Yet I would rather make an appeal on the mekor (basis) of ahavah (agapé)-- I, [Rav] Sha'ul, the Zaken (Elder) but also a prisoner of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua.
10. I appeal to you concerning beni, having "fathered" him (to a new birth) while in bais hasohar (prison) --that is, Onesimus (T.N. the slave boy Onesimus' name means "Useful")
11. The one once "Useless" to you, but, now, both to you and to me "Useful" (Onesimus).
12. I am sending him who is my very lev (heart) back to you.
13. I was wanting to detain him with me, in order that he might function as a keli kodesh (minister), ministering to me in your place, as your murshe (proxy), while I'm detained in the imprisonment of the Besuras HaGeulah.
14. But I wanted to do nothing without your haskamah (consent, approval), in order that the mitzvah you do might not be meshabed (caused to be obligated) or forced, but voluntary.