Philemon 1:13

I — emphatical. I for my part. Since I had such implicit trust in him as to desire to keep him with me for his services, thou mayest.

I would have retained — different Greek from the “would,” :-, “I could have wished,” “I was minded” here; but “I was not willing,” :-.

in thy stead — that he might supply in your place all the services to me which you, if you were here, would render in virtue of the love you bear to me ( :-).

bonds of the gospel — my bonds endured for the Gospel’s sake ( :-).