Philemon 1:21

Philemon 1:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
• New International Version (NIV)Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Context of Philemon 1:21

19I, Paul, have written this letter with my own hand: I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe me your very self. 20Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. Since I was confident that you would obey, I wrote to you, because I knew that you would do even more than what I am asking you to do. 22At the same time also, prepare a place for me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you. 23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you.

Philemon 1:21 word by word

Πεποιθὼς τῇ ὑπακοῇ σου ἔγραψά σοι εἰδὼς ὅτι καὶ ὑπὲρ ἃ λέγω ποιήσεις.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• Having confidenceπείθωpeithō · to persuadeG3982
• inὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• inὑπακοήhupakoē · obedienceG5218
• thyσύsu · youG4771
• I wroteγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• knowingεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• more thanὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• I sayλέγωlegō · to sayG3004

Cross-references for Philemon 1:21

• 2 Corinthians 2:3And I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came I would not have sadness from those who ought to make me rejoice, since I am confident in you all that my joy would be yours.
• 2 Corinthians 7:16I rejoice because in everything I am fully confident in you.
• 2 Corinthians 8:22And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you.
• Galatians 5:10I am confident in the Lord that you will accept no other view. But the one who is confusing you will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:4And we are confident about you in the Lord that you are both doing – and will do – what we are commanding.

Commentaries on Philemon 1:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Having confidence in thy obedience - I know that it will please thee thus to oblige thy friend, and I know that thou wilt do more than I request, because thou feelest the affection of a son to thy spiritual father. Some think that the apostle hints to Philemon that he should manumit Onesimus.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Having confidence in thy obedience - That you would comply with all my expressed desires. I wrote unto thee - “I have written to you;” to wit, in this Epistle. Knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say - In all the respects which he had mentioned - in receiving Onesimus, and in his kind treatment of him. He had asked a great favor of him, but he knew that he would go even beyond what he had asked.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-22Verses 15-22 When we speak of the nature of any sin or offence against God, the evil of it is not to be lessened; but in a penitent sinner, as God covers it, so must we. Such changed characters often become a blessing to all among whom they reside. Christianity does not do away our duties to others, but directs to the right doing of them. True penitents will be open in owning their faults, as doubtless Onesimus had been to Paul, upon his being awakened…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21Paul may be suggesting that he hopes Philemon will set Onesimus free (see 1:13–14). He may also be expressing his trust in Philemon’s kindness.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. Having confidence in thy obedience--to my apostolic authority, if I were to "enjoin" it (Phm 8), which I do not, preferring to beseech thee for it as a favor (Phm 9). thou will also do more--towards Onesimus: hinting at his possible manumission by Philemon, besides, being kindly received.Read the comment

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