Philemon 1:21 Having confidence in your obedience I wrote to you, knowing that you will also do more than I say. I. PAUL'S CONFIDENCE ABATES NOT HIS EARNESTNESS. Even where there is greatest hope of speed, it is no error to put to our best strength. Even the most forward may be quickened. Assurance of speed should not cool our fervor in our suits for God. God loves not only obedience but a cheerful spirit therein. Though we be assured of men's obedience, yet who knows what oppositions, reluctations, and discouragements may come from Satan, and a man's own corrupt heart? How seasonable then in such cases may some motives be! and how may our warmth heat another! It is no absurdity in this case to put spurs to a running horse. II. Mark WHAT HATH ALL THIS WHILE MADE PAUL SO EARNEST WITH PHILEMON, "having confidence of thine obedience." Never hath a man a better heart to speak than where he hath an hope to speed. Surely people's zeal kindles ministers', the forwarder they are to hear the forwarder are they to speak. Philemon's obedience puts heat and life into Paul and makes him earnest. A man hath but little heart to speak where he hath but little hope to speed. When a man fears he shall have but a cold suit of it, it chills his affections and makes him a cold suitor. Examine therefore thine own heart, and try if thou find not She cause of thy minister's defects in thyself. Many a minister would be better if he had a better people, and a good people makes a good minister as well as a good minister makes a good people. III. See THE CREDIT, YEA THE HONOUR, THAT CONSCIENCE AND OBEDIENCE PUTS UPON A MAN. Paul makes no question but to prevail with Philemon, because he knew him even before to make a conscience of yielding obedience. IV. THE PROPERTY OF A GRACIOUS AND AN ENLARGED HEART. It is not so illiberally and niggardly disposed as to give God no more than His just dues in extremity, but enlarges itself so as to go further than it is tied by express commandment. (D. Dyke, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. |
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