1.4 KiB
But I did not want to do anything without your consent
Paul states a double negative to mean the opposite. AT: "But I wanted to keep him with me only if you approved" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives)
I did not want your good deed to be from necessity but from good will
"I did not want you to do this good deed because I commanded you to do it, but because you wanted to do it"
but from good will
"but because you freely chose to do the right thing"
Perhaps for this he was separated from you for a time, so that
This can be stated in active form. AT: "Perhaps the reason God took Onesimus away from you for a time was so that" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive)
for a time
"during this time"
better than a slave
"more valuable than a slave"
a beloved brother
"a dear brother" or "a precious brother in Christ"
much more so to you
"he means even more to you"
in both the flesh
"both as a man." Paul is referring to Onesimus' being a trustworthy servant. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)
in the Lord
"as a brother in the Lord" or "because he belongs to the Lord"