Philemon 1:21
New International Version
Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

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

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

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

Berean Literal Bible
Being persuaded of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even above what I say.

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

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

New American Standard Bible
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.

NASB 1995
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.

NASB 1977
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.

Legacy Standard Bible
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.

Amplified Bible
I write to you [perfectly] confident of your obedient compliance, since I know that you will do even more than I ask.

Christian Standard Bible
Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

American Standard Version
Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.

Contemporary English Version
I am sure you will do all I have asked, and even more.

English Revised Version
Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I am confident as I write to you that you will do this. And I know that you will do even more than I ask.

Good News Translation
I am sure, as I write this, that you will do what I ask--in fact I know that you will do even more.

International Standard Version
Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you because I know that you will do even more than I ask.

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

NET Bible
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.

New Heart English Bible
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.

Webster's Bible Translation
Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

Weymouth New Testament
I write to you in the full confidence that you will meet my wishes, for I know you will do even more than I say.

World English Bible
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I wrote to you having been confident in your obedience, having known that you will also do above what I may say;

Berean Literal Bible
Being persuaded of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even above what I say.

Young's Literal Translation
having been confident in thy obedience I did write to thee, having known that also above what I may say thou wilt do;

Smith's Literal Translation
Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt do above what I say to thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee: knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have written to you, trusting in your obedience, knowing, too, that you will do even more than what I say.

New American Bible
With trust in your compliance I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

New Revised Standard Version
Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Because I have confidence in your obedience, I wrote to you, knowing that you will also do more than I ask.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because I trust that you will listen to me, I have written to you and I know that you will do more than what I have said.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Godbey New Testament
Having confidence in your obedience I have written to you, knowing that you will do even more than those things which I say.

Haweis New Testament
Having confidence in thy obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do more than I say.

Mace New Testament
I writ this upon the presumption of your compliance, being persuaded that you will even do more than I mention.

Weymouth New Testament
I write to you in the full confidence that you will meet my wishes, for I know you will do even more than I say.

Worrell New Testament
Having confidence in your obedience, I wrote to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Worsley New Testament
Being fully persuaded of thy compliance, I have written to thee; knowing that thou wilt indeed do more than I ask.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Appeal for Onesimus
20Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. 22In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.…

Cross References
2 Corinthians 7:16
I rejoice that I can have complete confidence in you.

2 Corinthians 2:3
I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be grieved by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy.

Galatians 5:10
I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.

Philippians 2:24
And I trust in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

2 Thessalonians 3:4
And we have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.

2 Corinthians 8:22
And we are sending along with them our brother who has proven his earnestness to us many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you.

Romans 15:14
I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

2 Corinthians 10:6
And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete.

1 Corinthians 7:25
Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those following Him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Matthew 15:28
“O woman,” Jesus answered, “your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 9:28-29
After Jesus had entered the house, the blind men came to Him. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He asked. “Yes, Lord,” they answered. / Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you.”

Luke 7:9
When Jesus heard this, He marveled at the centurion. Turning to the crowd following Him, He said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

2 Corinthians 2:3
And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

2 Corinthians 7:16
I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

2 Corinthians 8:22
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

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Confidence Confident Desire Full Meet Obedience Wilt Wishes Write Writing Written Wrote
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Confidence Confident Desire Full Meet Obedience Wilt Wishes Write Writing Written Wrote
Philemon 1
1. Paul rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon,
8. whom he desires to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again.














Confident of your obedience
The word "confident" in the Greek is "pepoithēs," which conveys a deep sense of trust and assurance. Paul expresses a profound trust in Philemon's character and spiritual maturity. This confidence is not merely based on human expectation but is rooted in the shared faith and love that Paul and Philemon have in Christ. The term "obedience" here, "hypakoē," implies a willing submission to authority, in this case, the authority of Christ and the apostolic guidance of Paul. Historically, this reflects the early Christian community's emphasis on mutual submission and accountability within the body of Christ.

I write to you
The act of writing, "graphō," in the ancient world was a significant means of communication, especially for the apostles. Paul's letters were not just personal correspondences but were intended to be read aloud to the church, serving as authoritative teaching. This phrase underscores the importance of written communication in preserving apostolic doctrine and guidance. The personal nature of this letter to Philemon highlights the relational aspect of Paul's ministry, emphasizing the personal care and concern he had for individual believers.

knowing that you will do
The Greek word for "knowing," "eidōs," suggests an intuitive understanding or perception. Paul is not merely hopeful but has a certain knowledge of Philemon's character and his commitment to Christ. This reflects the deep relational bonds within the early church, where leaders like Paul could speak with certainty about the actions of fellow believers. The phrase "you will do" indicates an expectation of action, a call to live out one's faith in tangible ways, which was a hallmark of early Christian ethics.

even more than I ask
The phrase "even more than I ask" reveals Paul's expectation of Philemon's generosity and willingness to go beyond the minimum requirements of duty. The Greek word "perissoteron" (more) suggests abundance and overflow. This reflects the Christian principle of going the extra mile, as taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Historically, this expectation would have been counter-cultural, as Roman society was often transactional. Paul is appealing to a higher standard of love and grace that transcends societal norms, encouraging Philemon to reflect the boundless love of Christ in his actions.

Philemon 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. . . .

Verse 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Confident of
Πεποιθὼς (Pepoithōs)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3982: A primary verb; to convince; by analogy, to pacify or conciliate; reflexively or passively, to assent, to rely.

your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

obedience,
ὑπακοῇ (hypakoē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5218: Obedience, submissiveness, compliance. From hupakouo; attentive hearkening, i.e. compliance or submission.

I write
ἔγραψά (egrapsa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

to you,
σοι (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

knowing
εἰδὼς (eidōs)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

you will do
ποιήσεις (poiēseis)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

more
ὑπὲρ (hyper)
Preposition
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

than
(ha)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

I ask.
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.


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NT Letters: Philemon 1:21 Having confidence in your obedience I write (Phm Phl)
Philemon 1:20
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