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: [but do thou receive] him, that is, my bowels: 13whom I was desirous of keeping with myself, that for thee he might minister to me in the bonds of the glad tidings; but I have wished to do nothing without thy mind, that thy good might not be as of necessity but of willingness: 15for perhaps for this reason he has been separated [from thee] for a time, that thou mightest possess him fully for ever; 16not any longer as a bondman, but above a bondman, a beloved brother, specially to me, and 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

• wishedθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• goodἀγαθόςagathos · goodG18
• beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• necessityἀνάγκηanagkē · necessityG318

Cross-references for Philemon 1:14

• Philemon 1:8Wherefore having much boldness in Christ to enjoin thee what is fitting,
• 2 Corinthians 1:24Not that we rule over your faith, but are fellow-workmen of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
• 1 Peter 5:3not as lording it over your possessions, but being models for the flock.
• 1 Chronicles 29:17And I know, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart have I willingly offered all these things; and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, offer willingly to thee.
• Psalms 110:3Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in holy splendour: from the womb of the morning [shall come] to thee the dew of thy youth.
• 1 Corinthians 9:7Who ever carries on war at his own charges? who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? or who herds a flock and does not eat of the milk of the flock?
• 2 Corinthians 8:12For if the readiness be there, [a man is] accepted according to what he may have, not according to what he has not.
• 2 Corinthians 9:5I thought it necessary therefore to beg the brethren that they would come to you, and complete beforehand your fore-announced blessing, that this may be ready thus as blessing, and not as got out of you.
• 1 Peter 5:2shepherd the flock of God which [is] among you, exercising oversight, not by necessity, but willingly; not for base gain, but readily;

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