Filemón 1:14

14 pero no quise hacer nada sin tu consentimiento, para que tu bondad no fuera como por obligación, sino por tu propia voluntad.

Filemón 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.

Filemón 1:14 In-Context

12 Y te lo he vuelto a enviar en persona, es decir, como si fuera mi propio corazón,

13 a quien hubiera querido retener conmigo, para que me sirviera en lugar tuyo en mis prisiones por el evangelio;

14 pero no quise hacer nada sin tu consentimiento, para que tu bondad no fuera como por obligación, sino por tu propia voluntad.

15 Porque quizá por esto se apartó de ti por algún tiempo, para que lo volvieras a recibir para siempre,

16 no ya como esclavo, sino como más que un esclavo, como un hermano amado, especialmente para mí, pero cuánto más para ti, tanto en la carne como en el Señor.