Philemon 1 · Verse 21

Philemon 1:21

Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
Philemon 1:21, King James Version

Philemon 1:21 in other translations

BSBConfident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
WEBHaving confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
ASVHaving confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.
YLThaving been confident in thy obedience I did write to thee, having known that also above what I may say thou wilt do;
DARBYBeing confident of thine obedience, I have written to thee, knowing that thou wilt do even more than I say.
BBEBeing certain that you will do my desire, I am writing to you, in the knowledge that you will do even more than I say.
WebsterHaving confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

What does Philemon 1:21 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
21. Having confidence in thy obedience--to my apostolic authority, if I were to "enjoin" it (Phm 8), which I do not, preferring to beseech thee for it as a favor (Phm 9). thou will also do more--towards Onesimus: hinting at his possible manumission by Philemon, besides, being kindly received.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 21. Having confidence in thy obedience. That you would comply with all my expressed desires.

I wrote unto thee. "I have written to you;" to wit, in this epistle.

Knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. In all the respects which he had mentioned--in receiving Onesimus, and in his kind treatment of him. He had asked a great favour of him, but he knew that he would go even beyond what he had asked.

(b) "confidence" 2Cor 7:16 (+) "obedience" "compliance"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 21 Having confidence in thy obedience - I know that it will please thee thus to oblige thy friend, and I know that thou wilt do more than I request, because thou feelest the affection of a son to thy spiritual father. Some think that the apostle hints to Philemon that he should manumit Onesimus.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philemon 1:15-22

When we speak of the nature of any sin or offence against God, the evil of it is not to be lessened; but in a penitent sinner, as God covers it, so must we. Such changed characters often become a blessing to all among whom they reside. Christianity does not do away our duties to others, but directs to the right doing of them. True penitents will be open in owning their faults, as doubtless Onesimus had been to Paul…

Read the full comment on Philemon 1:15-22 →

Philemon 1:21 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΠεποιθὼςPepoithōsHaving been persuaded ofG3982
τῇtēatheG3588
ὑπακοῇhupakoēaobedienceG5218
σουsouof youG4771
ἔγραψάegrapsaI writeG1125
σοιsoito youG4771
εἰδὼςeidōsknowing
ὅτιhotithatG3754
καὶkaievenG2532
ὑπὲρhuperaboveG5228
ἃhawhat [things]G3739
λέγωlegōI sayG3004
ποιήσεις.poiēseisyou will do.G4160

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philemon 1:21

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:4

    And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

  • 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.

  • Galatians 5:10

    I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

  • 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.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Co 2:3; 7:16; 8:22; Ga 5:10; 2Th 3:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philemon 1:20

    Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

  • Philemon 1:21

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

  • Philemon 1:22

    But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Read all of Philemon 1

Philemon 1:21 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Te he escrito confiando en tu obediencia, sabiendo que aun harás más de lo que digo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Ayant de la confiance dans ton obéissance, je t’ai écrit, sachant que tu feras même plus que je ne dis.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Da ich deinem Gehorsam vertraue, so habe ich dir geschrieben, indem ich weiß, daß du auch mehr tun wirst, als ich sage.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Confidens in obedientia tua scripsi tibi: sciens quoniam et super id, quod dico, facies.