Philemon 1:14

Verse

But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will.

American Standard Version (1901)

but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.

Bible in Basic English

But without your approval I would do nothing; so that your good works might not be forced, but done freely from your heart.

Douay-Rheims 1899

But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.

Free Bible Version

But I decided not do anything without your permission. I didn't want you to be forced to do good, but to do so willingly.

Geneva Bible 1599

But without thy minde woulde I doe nothing, that thy benefite should not be as it were of necessitie, but willingly.

King James (Authorized) Version

But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

Plain English Version

But first I have to ask you about it. I don’t want to do anything unless you agree. I don’t want to force you to do anything. It’s better if you, yourself, want to do it.

Translation for Translators

Nevertheless, because I had not yet asked you and you had not yet permitted me to keep him here with me, I decided not to keep him here. I decided that I should not do anything without your permitting it. I decided that you should help me only if you really want to help me.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But I did not want to do anything without your consent. I did not want your good deed to be from necessity but from good will.

Noah Webster Bible

But without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

World English Bible

But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.

Young's Literal Translation

and apart from thy mind I willed to do nothing, that as of necessity thy good deed may not be, but of willingness,

Context

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

¹³I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel.¹⁴But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will.¹⁵For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good—

Summary

In this verse, Paul expresses his desire for Philemon to willingly help Onesimus, who had wronged him in the past, not out of obligation but out of love. Paul's appeal reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, urging Philemon to show forgiveness and grace towards Onesimus. The verse underscores the importance of reconciliation and restoration within the Christian community, emphasizing the principles of mercy and unity. It serves as a reminder of the Christian duty to extend forgiveness and compassion to those who have erred, reflecting the love and forgiveness that God has shown to us.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

That 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 him home: thus the benefit to the apostle would have appeared to have been of necessity. The apostle, therefore, by sending him back again, gave Philemon the opportunity to do all as if self-moved to it. This is a very delicate touch.

Philemon 1:14

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will.

American Standard Version (1901)

but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.

Bible in Basic English

But without your approval I would do nothing; so that your good works might not be forced, but done freely from your heart.

Douay-Rheims 1899

But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.

Free Bible Version

But I decided not do anything without your permission. I didn't want you to be forced to do good, but to do so willingly.

Geneva Bible 1599

But without thy minde woulde I doe nothing, that thy benefite should not be as it were of necessitie, but willingly.

King James (Authorized) Version

But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

Plain English Version

But first I have to ask you about it. I don’t want to do anything unless you agree. I don’t want to force you to do anything. It’s better if you, yourself, want to do it.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

But I did not want to do anything without your consent. I did not want your good deed to be from necessity but from good will.

Noah Webster Bible

But without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

World English Bible

But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.

Young's Literal Translation

and apart from thy mind I willed to do nothing, that as of necessity thy good deed may not be, but of willingness,

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Philemon 1:14

Verse

Context

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Philemon 1:14

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary