Philemon 1:21

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

πεποιθὼς Having confidence G3982
πεποιθὼς Having confidence
Strong's: G3982
Word #: 1 of 13
to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence
τῇ G3588
τῇ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπακοῇ obedience G5218
ὑπακοῇ obedience
Strong's: G5218
Word #: 3 of 13
attentive hearkening, i.e., (by implication) compliance or submission
σου in thy G4675
σου in thy
Strong's: G4675
Word #: 4 of 13
of thee, thy
ἔγραψά I wrote G1125
ἔγραψά I wrote
Strong's: G1125
Word #: 5 of 13
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
σοι unto thee G4671
σοι unto thee
Strong's: G4671
Word #: 6 of 13
to thee
εἰδὼς knowing G1492
εἰδὼς knowing
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 7 of 13
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 8 of 13
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 9 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑπὲρ more than G5228
ὑπὲρ more than
Strong's: G5228
Word #: 10 of 13
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
ὃ G3739
ὃ
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 11 of 13
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
λέγω I say G3004
λέγω I say
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 12 of 13
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ποιήσεις do G4160
ποιήσεις do
Strong's: G4160
Word #: 13 of 13
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

Analysis & Commentary

Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee—πεποιθὼς τῇ ὑπακοῇ σου ἔγραψά σοι (pepoithōs tē hypakoē sou egrapsa soi, trusting your obedience I wrote to you)—πείθω (peithō, trust/be confident) perfect participle indicates settled confidence. ὑπακοή (hypakoē, obedience/compliance) assumes Philemon will do right. This demonstrates leadership wisdom: expressing confidence in people's virtue often produces it (Pygmalion effect). Paul hasn't commanded explicitly (v. 8-9), but confident assumption exerts moral pressure.

Knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say (εἰδὼς ὅτι καὶ ὑπὲρ ἃ λέγω ποιήσεις, eidōs hoti kai hyper ha legō poiēseis)—ὑπὲρ ἃ λέγω (hyper ha legō, beyond what I say) suggests Paul expects Philemon to exceed minimal requirements. Some interpreters see hint toward manumission (freeing Onesimus), though Paul doesn't explicitly demand it. ποιήσεις (poiēseis, you will do) is confident future—Paul presumes Philemon's gracious response, not merely hopes for it.

Historical Context

Ancient rhetoric distinguished letter types: commanding, requesting, commending. Paul blends them masterfully—appearing to request while assuming compliance. The phrase "more than I say" allows multiple interpretations:

  1. forgive completely
  2. free Onesimus
  3. send Onesimus back to Paul (v. 13-14 suggested Paul's desire).

Ancient hearers would recognize Paul's diplomatic pressure while preserving Philemon's dignity through free choice.

Questions for Reflection