Paul wished to retain Onesimus with him but did not do so because
Answer Details
Paul wished to retain Onesimus with him but did not do so because he did not like such a favour to be imposed on Philemon. In the book of Philemon, Paul is writing to his friend Philemon about Onesimus, a runaway slave who has since become a Christian. Paul wishes to keep Onesimus with him, but he understands that Onesimus is the property of Philemon and that it would be wrong to keep him without Philemon's permission. Therefore, he sends Onesimus back to Philemon, but he appeals to Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ rather than a slave.