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General Information:
Onesimus is the name of a man. He was apparently Philemon's slave and had stolen something and ran away.
my child Onesimus
"my son Onesimus." Paul speaks of the way he is friends with Onesimus as if it were the way a father and his son love each other. Onesimus was not Paul's actual son, but he received spiritual life when Paul taught him about Jesus, and Paul loved him. AT: "my spiritual son Onesimus" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)
Onesimus
The name "Onesimus" means "profitable" or "useful." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names)
whom I have fathered in my chains
Here "fathered" is a metaphor that means Paul converted Onesimus to Christ. AT: "who became my spiritual son when I taught him about Christ and he received new life while I was in my chains" or "who became like a son to me while I was in my chains" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)
in my chains ... while I am in chains
Prisoners were often bound in chains. Paul was in prison when he taught Onesimus and was still in prison when he wrote this letter. AT: "while I was in prison ... while I am in prison" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy)
I have sent him back to you
Paul was probably sending Onesimus with another believer who carried this letter.
who is my very heart
Here the word "heart" is used for someone who is dearly loved. Paul was saying this about Onesimus. AT: "whom I love dearly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)
so he could serve me for you
"so that, since you cannot be here, he might help me" or "so that he could help me in your place"
for the sake of the gospel
Paul was in prison because he preached the gospel publicly. This can be stated explicitly. AT: "because I preach the gospel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit)