Philemon 1:8

Philemon 1:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
• New International Version (NIV)Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,
• New Living Translation (NLT)That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do.

Context of Philemon 1:8

6and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.

Philemon 1:8 word by word

Διὸ πολλὴν ἐν Χριστῷ παρρησίαν ἔχων ἐπιτάσσειν σοι τὸ ἀνῆκονRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Whereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
• though I might beἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• muchπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• boldπαρρησίαparrhēsia · boldnessG3954
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• to enjoinἐπιτάσσωepitassō · to commandG2004
• theeσύsu · youG4771
• that which is convenientἀνήκωanēkō · be fittingG433

Cross-references for Philemon 1:8

• 2 Corinthians 3:12Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,
• 2 Corinthians 10:1I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—
• 2 Corinthians 11:21To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
• 2 Corinthians 10:8For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.

Commentaries on Philemon 1:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Wherefore, though I might be much bold - It would be better to read: Wherefore, although I have much authority through Christ, to command thee to do what is proper; yet, on account of my love to thee, I entreat thee. The tenderness and delicacy of this epistle, says Dr. Paley, have long been admired: "Though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient; yet, for love's sake, I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8Wherefore, 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 1 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…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. 8-9The apostle Paul asked for a favor because Philemon was well-known as a kind and loving person (1:5–7). Paul could have used his authority as an apostle of Christ to demand it, but he chose to ask out of love. I, Paul, am now aged: Paul appealed to the respect owed to older people and his status as a prisoner for Christ Jesus, which would increase a fellow Christian’s respect.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. Wherefore--Because of my love to thee, I prefer to "beseech," rather than "enjoin," or authoritatively command. I might ... enjoin--in virtue of the obligation to obedience which Philemon lay under to Paul, as having been converted through his instrumentality. in Christ--the element in which his boldness has place.Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Boldness
• Enjoin
• Paul, Saul

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