to hold (used in very various applications · verb — present active participle, nominative singular masculine
much
πολλὴνpollēn
G4183
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many · adjective — accusative singular feminine
bold
παρρησίανparrēsian
G3954
all out-spokenness · noun — accusative singular feminine
in
ἐνen
G1722
"in · preposition
Christ
ΧριστῷChristō
G5547
anointed · noun — dative singular masculine, a title
enjoin
ἐπιτάσσεινepitassein
G2004
to arrange upon · verb — present active infinitive
thee
σοίsoí
G4671
to thee
convenient
ἀνῆκονanēkon
G433
to attain to · verb — present active participle, accusative singular neuter
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (James Strong, 1890/1894), public domain; digitized by Open Scriptures (CC BY-SA). KJV word tagging: eBible.org (public domain). Original-language text, parsing and brief lexicon: STEPBible.org data from Tyndale House, Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
Cross-references
1 Thessalonians 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I shou…
2 Corinthians 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
2 Corinthians 10:1-2 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward y…
2 Corinthians 11:21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
1 Thessalonians 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto yo…
Cross-references from OpenBible.info (CC BY), in the lineage of the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain).
Commentary
Matthew Henry on Philemon 1:8–end
We have here,
I. The main business of the epistle, which was to plead with Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, that he would receive him and be reconciled to him. Many arguments Paul urges for this purpose, Plm 1:8-21. The
1st Argument is taken from what was before noted, and is carried in the illative wherefore: "Seeing so much good is reported of thee and found in thee, especially thy love to all saints, now let me see it on a fresh and further occasion; refresh the bowels of Onesimus and mine also, in forgiving and receiving him, who is now a convert, and so a saint indeed, and meet for thy favour and love." Observe, A disposition to do good, together with past instances and expressions of it…
Wherefore--Because of my love to thee, I prefer to "beseech," rather than "enjoin," or authoritatively command.
I might . . . enjoin--in virtue of the obligation to obedience which Philemon lay under to Paul, as having been converted through his instrumentality.
in Christ--the element in which his boldness has place.
Adam Clarke on Philemon 1:8
Wherefore, though I might be much bold - It would be better to read: Wherefore, although I have much authority through Christ, to command thee to do what is proper; yet, on account of my love to thee, I entreat thee.
The tenderness and delicacy of this epistle, says Dr. Paley, have long been admired: "Though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient; yet, for love's sake, I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus, I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds."
There is something certainly very melting and persuasive in this and every part of the epistle. Yet, in my opinion, the charac…
Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ,.... Or use much freedom of speech in the name of Christ, as an ambassador of his, and great authority as his apostle, which was given him for edification:
to enjoin thee that which is convenient; which became him as a believer in Christ, and a minister of the Gospel; which was his duty, and was obligatory upon him, agreeable to the doctrines of Christ; who taught men to love their enemies, to be reconciled to their brethren, that had offended them, especially when they repented; and therefore it was fit and proper that he should receive his servant again, since God had called him by his grace, and given him repentance for his sins: upon this…
The Church Fathers
"Paul". And this alone is sufficient to persuade, "the aged, but now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ". Do you see the motives for persuading?
As much as reason required, it was fitting to command a disciple as a master by the authority of the apostolic faith: but because Philemon was a good man, he entices him through affection to obedience, as if he were a companion in age, and a prisoner of Jesus Christ, that is, bound by the affairs of the Lord, or subject to his name in chains, just as the apostles themselves were. For indeed, there were Judas and Silas, who were leaders among the brothers, being from the common people, they had committed themselves to the Lord's work (Acts 15:22 and following); so that they could work together with the apostles for the sake of faith in God. Hence, Silas is found to be a partner in the apostle's labors.
I do not issue orders to you, as if I were some great person. For though I am bound for the name [of Christ], I am not yet perfect in Jesus Christ. For now I begin to be a disciple, and I speak to you as fellow-disciples with me. For it was needful for me to have been stirred up by you in faith, exhortation, patience, and long-suffering. But inasmuch as love suffers me not to be silent in regard to you, I have therefore taken upon me first to exhort you that ye would all run together in accordance with the will of God. For even Jesus Christ, our inseparable life, is the [manifested] will of the Father; as also bishops, settled everywhere to the utmost bounds [of the earth], are so by the will of Jesus Christ.
The Church Fathers: public-domain translations (Ante-Nicene and Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers), verse-indexed by SermonIndex (CC BY 4.0).
Philemon 1:8-14
8. Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
8. Quapropter multam in Christo fiduciam habens imperandi tibi quod decet.
9. Yet, for love's sake, I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
9. Propter caritatem magis rogo, quum talis sim, nempe Paulus senex; nunc vero etiam vinctus Iesu Christi.
10. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
10. Rogo autem to pro filio meo, quem genui in vinculis meis, Onesimo,
11. Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
11. Qui aliquando tibi inutilis fuit, nunc a…
The reason why Paul was asking a favor was Philemon’s reputation as a gracious, loving person (1:5-7). Paul could demand it by his authority as Christ’s apostle, but love leads Paul to request rather than demand. • Paul, an old man: Paul appeals to the respect due to older people as well as to his status as a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus, which would only increase a fellow Christian’s respect.
