Philemon 1:14

Philemon 1:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
• New International Version (NIV)But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.
• English Standard Version (ESV)but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

Context of Philemon 1:14

12whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart: 13whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel: but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will. 15For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever; 16no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Philemon 1:14 word by word

χωρὶς δὲ τῆς σῆς γνώμης οὐδὲν ἠθέλησα ποιῆσαι, ἵνα μὴ ὡς κατὰ ἀνάγκην τὸ ἀγαθόν σου ᾖ ἀλλὰ κατὰ ἑκούσιον.Read the interlinear

• beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• necessityἀνάγκηanagkē · necessityG318

Cross-references for Philemon 1:14

• Philemon 1:8Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,
• 2 Corinthians 1:24Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast.
• 1 Peter 5:3neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.
• 1 Chronicles 29:17I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, that are present here, offer willingly unto thee.
• Psalms 110:3Thy people offer themselves willingly In the day of thy power, in holy array: Out of the womb of the morning Thou hast the dew of thy youth.
• 1 Corinthians 9:7What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
• 2 Corinthians 8:12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not.
• 2 Corinthians 9:5I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.
• 1 Peter 5:2Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Commentaries on Philemon 1:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14That thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity - If the apostle had kept Onesimus in his service, and written to Philemon to forgive him and permit him to stay, to this it is probable he would have agreed; but the benefit thus conceded might have lost much of its real worth by the consideration that, had he been at Colosse, Philemon would not have sent him to Rome; but, being there and in the apostle's service, he could not with propriety order…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14But without thy mind would I do nothing - Nothing in the matter referred to. He would not retain Onesimus in his service, much as he needed his assistance, without the cordial consent of Philemon. He would not give him occasion for hard feeling or complaint, as if Paul had induced him to leave his master, or as if he persuaded him to remain with him when he wished to return - or as if he kept him away from him when he owed him or had wronged him. All that…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 It does not lower any one to condescend, and sometimes even to beseech, where, in strictness of right, we might command: the apostle argues from love, rather than authority, in behalf of one converted through his means; and this was Onesimus. In allusion to that name, which signifies "profitable," the apostle allows that in time past he had been unprofitable to Philemon, but hastens to mention the change by which he had become profitable…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-14Paul suggests that he wants Philemon to decide to free Onesimus so he can help Paul (also 1:21). The Christian life is a voluntary response to God's grace (Romans 12:1; Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 3:12–13).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. without thy mind--that is, consent. should not be as--"should not appear as a matter of necessity, but of free will." Had Paul kept Onesimus, however willing to gratify Paul Philemon might be, he would have no opportunity given him of showing he was so, his leave not having been asked.Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• Benefit

Commentaries on Philemon 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings