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Philemon 1:8
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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.  

The Plea for Onesimus

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.  

Philemon’s Obedience Encouraged

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.  
Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
<< Philemon 1:7   Philemon 1:9 >>


Philemon 1:8

Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ - Though I might have much boldness as an apostle of Christ. He means that he was invested with authority by the Lord Jesus, and would have a right, as an apostle, to enjoin what ought to be done in the case which he is about to lay before him; compare I Thessalonians 2:6-7.

To enjoin thee that which is convenient - To command what is proper to be done. The word "convenient" here ( ̀ ̓͂ to anēkō ), means that which would be fit or proper in the case; compare the notes at Ephesians 5:4. The apostle implies here that what he was about to ask, was proper to be done in the circumstances, but he does not put it on that ground, but rather asks it as a personal layout. It is usually not best to command a thing to be done if we can as well secure it by asking it as a favor; compare Daniel 1:8, Daniel 1:11-12.




Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Philemon 1:8:

1 Peter 5:1

 

<< Philemon 1:7   Philemon 1:9 >>

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