Philemon Chapter 1 verse 21 Holy Bible
Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.
read chapter 1 in ASV
Being certain that you will do my desire, I am writing to you, in the knowledge that you will do even more than I say.
read chapter 1 in BBE
Being confident of thine obedience, I have written to thee, knowing that thou wilt do even more than I say.
read chapter 1 in DARBY
Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
read chapter 1 in KJV
read chapter 1 in WBT
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
read chapter 1 in WEB
having been confident in thy obedience I did write to thee, having known that also above what I may say thou wilt do;
read chapter 1 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 21. - I wrote unto thee; write (Revised Version; see Ver. 19), or perhaps referring back, as in Ver. 19, to the request in Ver. 17. The strong, fervid, and repeated appeals of the apostle had not been caused by distrust of Philemon, nor of their own efficacy, but were the natural outcome of the strong interest he felt in the case of Onesimus, and the desire he felt to replace him in the favor of his master; partly also, perhaps, to the warmth and fervor of his natural character, which uttered itself involuntarily in forcible expressions.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersPhilemon 1:21-25 contain the conclusion of the Epistle--hope to visit Philemon soon, salutation, and blessing.(21) Confidence in thy obedience.--It is curious to notice how, in this conclusion, St. Paul seems to glide, as it were insensibly, out of the tone of entreaty as to an equal, into the authority of a superior. The word "obedience" is found in 2Corinthians 7:15, there in connection with "fear and trembling." He preferred to appeal to Philemon's love; he knew that in any case he could rely on his deference.Do more than I say.--This can hardly refer to anything except the manumission of Onesimus, and possibly his being sent back again to St. Paul. Exactly in this way Christianity was to work out the release of the slave--not by command, but by free and natural inference from its emphatic declaration of his true brotherhood in Christ.(22) A lodging.--The word often signifies "hospitality" generally, which Philemon might naturally offer in his own house, but which St. Paul would not suggest or ask.I shall be given unto you.--Literally, as a favour from supreme authority. Comp. the technical and forensic use of the word in Acts 3:14; Acts 25:11 : for good in one case, in the other for evil. If he was so "granted," it would be by Caesar instrumentally, by God's overruling will ultimately. The passage, like Philippians 2:24, but even more definitely, expresses St. Paul's expectation of a release which might enable him to visit the East again. It is curious that there is no similar allusion in the Colossian Epistle, sent with this. . . .
