Philemon 1:14

14 aber ohne deinen Willen wollte ich nichts tun, auf daß dein Gutes nicht wäre genötigt, sondern freiwillig.

Philemon 1:14 Meaning and Commentary

Philemon 1:14

But without thy mind would I do nothing
Which shows great modesty and humility in the apostle, that though as such he had an authority, which he could have used, as well as had understanding and judgment how to have used it without consulting Philemon, or having his sense of this affair, yet chose to consult him: and it also shows the strict regard the apostle had to equity and justice, that he would do nothing with another man's servant without his consent; he would not seem to alienate, or engross another man's right and property, whatever power he might have, as an apostle, to have retained Onesimus as a minister to him.

That thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but
willingly;
that is, that his goodness in forgiving his servant, and renouncing all claim and property in him, and admitting him to continue in the service of the apostle, might not look like a forced thing; but that it might appear to be a voluntary action, when he should of himself return him, after he had been thus sent to him, and received by him.

Philemon 1:14 In-Context

12 Du aber wollest ihn, das ist mein eigen Herz, annehmen.

13 Denn ich wollte ihn bei mir behalten, daß er mir an deiner Statt diente in den Banden des Evangeliums;

14 aber ohne deinen Willen wollte ich nichts tun, auf daß dein Gutes nicht wäre genötigt, sondern freiwillig.

15 Vielleicht aber ist er darum eine Zeitlang von dir gekommen, daß du ihn ewig wieder hättest,

16 nun nicht mehr als einen Knecht, sondern mehr denn einen Knecht, als einen lieben Bruder, sonderlich mir, wie viel mehr aber dir, beides, nach dem Fleisch und in dem HERRN.