Philemon 1:21

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

Context:The book of Philemon is a personal letter written by the apostle Paul to Philemon, a believer in Colossae. Philemon was a slave owner, and one of his slaves, Onesimus, had run away and ended up meeting Paul in prison. During his time with Paul, Onesimus became a Christian. In this letter, Paul is appealing to Philemon to receive Onesimus back not as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ.

Confidence in Obedience:In this verse, Paul expresses his confidence in Philemon’s obedience. He trusts that Philemon will respond positively to his request to receive Onesimus back with love and forgiveness. Paul’s confidence is rooted in his knowledge of Philemon’s character and commitment to Christ.

Written Appeal:Paul emphasizes that he has written to Philemon, intentionally choosing to address the situation through a letter rather than in person. By doing so, he ensures that Philemon has time to reflect and consider his response carefully. Paul’s purpose in writing is to reconcile Philemon and Onesimus, encouraging a demonstration of Christian love and forgiveness.

Exceeding Expectations:Paul expresses his belief that Philemon will go above and beyond what he has requested. The phrase “do more than I say” indicates that Paul anticipates Philemon will not only receive Onesimus back but will also show him kindness, acceptance, and equality, treating him as a brother in Christ rather than a slave.

Application:

• Obedience and Trust:Paul’s confidence in Philemon’s obedience highlights the importance of trust within Christian relationships. It encourages believers to be reliable and trustworthy in their commitments to others, especially when it comes to following God’s commands.
• Forgiveness and Reconciliation:The letter to Philemon emphasizes the power of forgiveness and reconciliation within the body of Christ. It challenges believers to extend grace, love, and forgiveness to those who have wronged them, promoting unity and restoration.
• Going the Extra Mile:Paul’s expectation that Philemon will exceed his request demonstrates the principle of going above and beyond in our acts of love and kindness towards others. As Christians, we are called to show generosity, compassion, and mercy, not just meeting the minimum requirements but going the extra mile to bless others.

Philemon 1:21 serves as a reminder to believers to have confidence in one another’s obedience and to strive for reconciliation and unity through forgiveness and acts of love. It encourages us to exceed expectations in our relationships, displaying the transformative power of Christ’s love in our lives.