Philemon 1:8
in Philemon 1So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper,
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,
KJV
Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
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This verse in Philemon 1
Commentary
13 notes on this verseWherefore, 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.
This site's exposition
I am bold enough to order you
on Philemon 1:8-9
In Christ Paul is bold enough to order you to do what is proper. He prefers to appeal on the basis of love. He calls himself aged, the Greek presbutes, one letter from presbeutes, ambassador, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
"Paul". And this alone is sufficient to persuade, "the aged, but now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ". Do you see the motives for persuading? …
As much as reason required, it was fitting to command a disciple as a master by the authority of the apostolic faith: but because Philemon was a good man, he entices him through affection to obedience, as if he were a companion in age, and …
I am writing to you because of the confidence I have in Christ Jesus, commanding you to do what is proper for the sake of love. I urge you even more, as one such as Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus. With many praises given to Philemon before him, considering the matter at hand, which would be both excellent and helpful to the requester, Paul was able to command rather than request.
Observe how cautious he is, lest any of the things which were spoken even from exceeding love should so strike the hearer, as that he should be hurt. For this reason before he says, "to enjoin thee," since it was offensive, although, as spoken out of love, it was more proper to soothe him, yet nevertheless from an excess of delicacy, he as it were corrects it by saying, "Having confidence," by which he implies that Philemon was a great man, that is "Thou hast given confidence to us." And not only that, but adding the expression "in Christ," by which he shows that it was not that he was more illustrious in the world, not that he was more powerful, but it was on account of his faith in Christ,-then he also adds, "to enjoin thee," and not that only, but "that which is convenient," that is, a reasonable action. And see out of how many things he brings proof for this. Thou doest good to others, he says, and to me, and for Christ's sake, and that the thing is reasonable, and that love giveth...
I do not issue orders to you, as if I were some great person. For though I am bound for the name [of Christ], I am not yet perfect in Jesus Christ. For now I begin to be a disciple, and I speak to you as fellow-disciples with me. For it was needful for me to have been stirred up by you in faith, exhortation, patience, and long-suffering. But inasmuch as love suffers me not to be silent in regard to you, I have therefore taken upon me first to exhort you that ye would all run together in accordance with the will of God. For even Jesus Christ, our inseparable life, is the [manifested] will of the Father; as also bishops, settled everywhere to the utmost bounds [of the earth], are so by the will of Jesus Christ.
6 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church2 voices
Since, he says, you are such toward all the saints, that their hearts are refreshed by you, all the more I in Christ, that is, as having begotten you in Christ, I had boldness to command you, not as your master, but out of the …
Then when he says For this reason, he makes his plea. And first he states the confidence with which he asks; second, the petition itself, I plead with you...; third, his reason, Perhaps, indeed... He says, For this reason, that is, because you so abound …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
The apostles had under Christ great power in the church over the ordinary ministers, as well as the members of it, for edification; they might require of them what was fit, and were therein to be obeyed, which Philemon should consider. This was a matter within the compass of the apostle's power to require, though he would not in this instance act up to it.
Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ,....
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
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.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Wherefore, 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 1Th 2:6-7. To enjoin thee that which is convenient - To command what is proper to be done. The word “convenient” here (τὸ ἀνῆκω to anēkō), means that which would be fit or proper in the case; compare the notes at Eph 5:4. The apostle implies here that what he was about to ask, was proper to be done in the circumstances, but he does not put it on that ground, but rather asks it as a personal layout. It is usually not best to command a thing to be done if we can as well secure it by asking it as a favor; compare Dan 1:8, Dan 1:11-12.
The words behind it
10 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Διὸ | dio | Therefore | G1352 → | |
| πολλὴν | pollen | much | G4183 → | |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| Χριστῷ | christo | Christ | G5547 → | 523 times |
| παρρησίαν | parresian | boldness | G3954 → | |
| ἔχων | echon | having | G2192 → | 707 times |
| ἐπιτάσσειν | epitassein | to order | G2004 → | |
| σοι | soi | you | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| τὸ | to | what [is] | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἀνῆκον | anekon | befitting | G433 → |
ΔιὸTherefore
dioG1352 →
πολλὴνmuch
pollenG4183 →
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
ΧριστῷChrist
christoG5547 →523 times
παρρησίανboldness
parresianG3954 →
ἔχωνhaving
echonG2192 →707 times
ἐπιτάσσεινto order
epitasseinG2004 →
σοιyou
soiG4771 →2973 times
τὸwhat [is]
toG3588 →19766 times
ἀνῆκονbefitting
anekonG433 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Thessalonians 2:2As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of…
it leads to
- Acts 4:13
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 2 Timothy 1:12
For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have…
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Acts 16:22–24
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods.
- Acts 4:13
Through
1 Thessalonians 2:6Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
it leads to
- Galatians 1:10
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
- John 5:44
How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
- John 5:41
I do not accept glory from men,
- Philemon 1:8–9
So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper,
- Galatians 1:10
Through
2 Corinthians 3:12Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 7:4
Great is my confidence in you; great is my pride in you; I am filled with encouragement; in all our troubles my joy overflows.
- 2 Corinthians 7:4
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Philemon
This page draws on 13 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, Commentary on Philemon; Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians; J. B. Lightfoot, Saint Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Commentary on Philemon; John Chrysostom, Homily on Philemon 2; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, COMMENTARY ON PHILEMON; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Philemon and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Philemon.