Philemon 1:21 kjv

Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

Philemon 1:21 nkjv

Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Philemon 1:21 niv

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

Philemon 1:21 esv

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Philemon 1:21 nlt

I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!

Philemon 1 verses

Philemon 1 21 Meaning

Philemon 1:21 signifies Paul's deep trust in Philemon's Christian character and love, anticipating that Philemon will not only grant his specific request concerning Onesimus but will, by his own volition, act with even greater generosity and Christ-like grace. It is an appeal based on shared faith and affectionate expectation, rather than a command.

Philemon 1 21 Context

Philemon is a deeply personal letter from Paul, written during his imprisonment (likely in Rome). He writes to Philemon, a wealthy Christian leader and slave owner in Colossae, concerning Onesimus, Philemon's runaway slave. Onesimus encountered Paul in prison, became a Christian, and transformed into a valuable helper to Paul. Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon, not as a returning slave deserving punishment, but as "a dear brother" in Christ (Phm 1:16). Throughout the letter, Paul skillfully navigates the delicate situation, appealing to Philemon's Christian love and principles rather than issuing a direct command. The verses immediately preceding 1:21 show Paul's confidence in Philemon's faith and love (v. 4-7) and his plea that Onesimus be received, implying a willingness on Paul's part to make amends for Onesimus's past wrongdoing (v. 18-19). Verse 1:21 is Paul's gentle yet powerful final push, expressing full trust in Philemon's magnanimity to act with exceptional generosity motivated by the spirit of Christ.

Philemon 1 21 Word analysis

• Confident (πεποιθώς - pepoithōs): From peithō, meaning to persuade, to trust. Pepoithōs indicates a settled persuasion, a strong, firm conviction. Paul isn't merely hoping; he is deeply convinced of Philemon's spiritual integrity and his capacity to respond righteously. This confidence is rooted in Paul's knowledge of Philemon's faith and love (Phm 1:4-7).
• of your obedience (τῆς ὑπακοῆς σου - tēs hypakoēs sou): Hypakoē literally means "hearing under," signifying listening attentively and consequently submitting or complying. It's not about coerced conformity, but a voluntary submission stemming from a genuine understanding of truth and love. Paul expects Philemon's obedience to Christian love and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
• I write (ἔγραψά - egrapsa): This is an epistolary aorist, a common Greek tense used in letter writing. It refers to the act of writing the letter which is in the process of being read. It highlights that Paul is putting this expectation into written form.
• to you (σοι - soi): Direct address, making the appeal personal and intimate, reflecting their established relationship.
• knowing (εἰδώς - eidōs): From oida, meaning to know intuitively, by experience, or full perception. This is not guesswork or flattery, but a genuine awareness of Philemon's character and his established pattern of Christian living. Paul "knows" Philemon will respond favorably because he has seen evidence of his Christian walk.
• that you will do (ὅτι καὶ ποιήσεις - hoti kai poiēseis): Poiēseis is in the future tense of poieō (to do, make), indicating certainty or a strong expectation of future action. Paul is confident of what Philemon will do. The kai ("even") preceding poiēseis subtly reinforces the emphasis on going beyond the minimum.
• even more (περισσότερον - perissoteron): From perissos, meaning superabundant, excelling, going beyond the expected measure. This is the crucial phrase. Paul anticipates Philemon's action will exceed the explicit request. It could mean: granting Onesimus's freedom, dedicating him to Paul for ministry, sending him back to Paul permanently, or offering extraordinary restoration and elevation to Onesimus as a brother.
• than I ask (ὧν αἰτῶ - hōn aitō): Aitō means to ask, request, or beg for something specific. Paul is clear that he has a particular request (reception of Onesimus), but he foresees a response motivated by a love that far surpasses the boundaries of a simple compliance.

Words-group analysis:

• "Confident of your obedience, I write to you": This phrase establishes Paul's strategy of persuasive influence based on trust. He doesn't resort to apostolic authority to command Philemon but expresses firm conviction that Philemon's Christian obedience (motivated by love for God and others) will lead him to the right decision. This underlines a relational approach to ministry.
• "knowing that you will do even more than I ask": This reveals Paul's rhetorical mastery and deep insight into human nature. By expressing certainty that Philemon will surpass the request, Paul creates a moral obligation or opportunity for Philemon to indeed demonstrate his faith and generosity in a superior way. It's a subtle yet powerful appeal to Philemon's identity in Christ, calling him to an elevated display of love.

Philemon 1 21 Bonus section

This verse masterfully combines profound theological principle with shrewd rhetorical skill. Paul doesn't just express hope; he expresses "confidence," implying a trust in the transformative power of the gospel in Philemon's life. This elevates the appeal from a mere favor to a testament of Philemon's Christian identity. The anticipation of "even more" implicitly elevates Philemon's potential action from legal compliance to a spiritual triumph of love. It suggests that true Christian obedience goes beyond meeting expectations to exceeding them, motivated by an inner Spirit-filled disposition rather than outward pressure. This serves as a timeless principle for Christian interaction: challenging others to greater acts of love, trust, and generosity, knowing that Christ can empower them to surpass ordinary expectations.

Philemon 1 21 Commentary

Philemon 1:21 acts as a powerful capstone to Paul's appeal, showcasing the depth of Christian persuasion and the nature of Spirit-led generosity. Paul, imprisoned and advocating for a runaway slave, chose not to issue a command from his apostolic authority but instead to appeal to Philemon's spiritual maturity and Christ-like character. His confidence is not presumption, but a settled conviction born from observing Philemon's faith and love. The "obedience" he expects is not a begrudging compliance but a willing response to God's love poured into Philemon's heart.

The climax of the verse lies in Paul's expectation that Philemon would "do even more" than asked. While Paul explicitly requests Philemon to receive Onesimus back not merely as a slave but as a beloved brother, "even more" could imply manumission (giving Onesimus his freedom), enabling Onesimus to return and serve Paul, or elevating Onesimus's status far beyond that of a mere household servant. This call to supererogation (going beyond what is required) challenges Philemon to embody the boundless nature of Christ's love and grace, transcending the legal and social norms of the time. This verse beautifully illustrates how genuine faith expresses itself in extraordinary acts of love and reconciliation.

Examples of "doing even more":

• A Christian boss forgiving a former employee who wronged them, and then actively helping them find a new job, going beyond just reconciliation.
• A church member offering not just forgiveness to someone who hurt them, but proactively seeking opportunities to serve and bless that person.
• Someone lending not only money to a brother in need but also offering ongoing support and training to help them achieve financial stability.