Philemon 1:8 - Forerunner Commentary

Philemon 1:8

6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective ^aby the acknowledgment of ^bevery good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For we¹ have great joy and consolation in your love, because the⁴ hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,

9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—

10 I appeal to you for my son ^aOnesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,

11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

12 I am sending him¹ back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own² heart,

13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.

14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, ^athat your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,

16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the ^aflesh and in the Lord.

17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.

18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.

19 I, Paul, am writing with my own ^ahand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.

20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

21 ^aHaving confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Verse Comparison: Philemon 1:8

American Standard Version
Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,

Amplified® Bible
Therefore, though I have abundant boldness in Christ to charge you to do what is fitting {and} required {and} your duty to do,

Contemporary English Version
Christ gives me the courage to tell you what to do.

Darby English Version
Wherefore having much boldness in Christ to enjoin thee what is fitting,

Good News Bible
For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done.

International Standard Version
For this reason, although in Christ I have complete freedom to order you to do what is proper,

King James Version
Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

New American Standard Bible
Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you {to do} what is proper,

New International Version
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,

New King James Version
Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what we consider proper,

Young's Literal Translation
Wherefore, having in Christ much boldness to command thee that which is fit --

New English Translation
So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper,