Philemon 1:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

“Trusting in your obedience, I have written to you.” What stone would not be softened by these words?

What beast would not be tamed by them and made ready to receive the request exactly?

Having ascribed such virtues to him, the Apostle still does not cease justifying himself.

And he does not justify himself simply, by commanding or demanding with authority, but says, “Trusting in your obedience.”

As at the beginning of the epistle he said, “having boldness” (Phlm 1:8), so here he says the same, sealing the epistle.

“Knowing that you will do even more than I say.” By these words he strongly moves Philemon.

For even if Philemon did nothing else, he would at least have been ashamed not to do what was asked.

He had earned from Paul such an opinion of himself, namely that he could do even more than was said.

I have written to you, he says, not commanding and not from self-love, but trusting in your obedience. What iron would these words not soften?

I know the ready obedience of your soul. Therefore I write with confidence, being bold that you will do for me even more than what I have asked.

“Thou wilt do even more than I say.” Such is the power of apostolic love and its request. Although Paul asks a very great sacrifice from Philemon, he hopes that Philemon’s faith and love will surpass even his request.

As the only reward for this, the Apostle asks that Philemon refresh his heart in the Lord on behalf of Onesimus. He expresses the hope that Philemon would do even far more for his teacher and enlightener.

The Apostle confirms with his own hand his obligation to pay Philemon Onesimus’s debt. That is, he gives, as it were, a bond.

But immediately he makes clear that this has an inward meaning.

If accounts are settled, it appears that Philemon owes Paul far more, for his eternal salvation through enlightenment by faith.

This is more than any losses Onesimus could have caused him, whether through his absence or even through taking his things, however great those losses were.

For nothing can be compared with the preciousness of the soul’s salvation and its eternal blessedness.

Here one may partly recall the parable of the rich creditor and his merciless debtor.

Philemon was being counseled not to be like that debtor, but to show obedience worthy of a beloved son.

“I know the good obedience of your soul. Therefore I write with bold confidence that you will do for me even more than I asked” (Theodoret).

“What stone would not be softened by these words? What beast would not be tamed by them and made ready to receive the request exactly?

Having ascribed such great virtues to him, the Apostle still does not cease justifying himself, as though excusing himself.

And he does not justify himself simply, by commanding or demanding with authority, but says, ‘Trusting in your obedience, I have written to you.’

As at the beginning of the epistle he said, ‘having boldness’ (Phlm 1:8), so here he says the same, sealing the epistle” (St. Chrysostom).