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"But without your consent I wanted to do nothing..."

Text: Philemon 14

SEEKING FULL CONSENT

The friendship between Paul and Philemon was rich and rare! However, Paul did not act presumptuously. He sought full consent from Philemon for what he suggested.

“But without your consent I wanted to do nothing,
that your good deed might not be by compulsion,
as it were, but voluntary.”
Philemon 14

1. “But without your consent”

a) The word “consent”

i) The word is derived from “full knowledge”.

ii) This word was used regularly in this sense (in papyri documents in those days).

b) Paul did not hold back on giving information about Onesimus.

i) From full knowledge an opinion may be formed.

ii) From an informed position, “consent” may be given.

c) Paul sought this consent from Philemon.

2. “I wanted to do nothing”

a) The word “wanted” may be translated “wished”.

b) Paul did not wish to make any plans till he had obtained full consent from Philemon.

c) This approach was good, sound and very correct.

3. “That your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were”

a) Paul counted on the loving and compassionate heart of Philemon.

b) He trusted that his friendship with him was indeed solid and dependable.

c) He believed that Philemon would have readily agreed to have Onesimus stay to look after him.

d) But he would not have wanted Philemon to have done is “by compulsion”.

i) Out of obligation.

ii) Out of necessity.

4. “But voluntary”

a) It would not have been as meaningful and significant if it had been done out of compulsion.

b) A good deed is best performed

i) Out of one’s free will.

ii) Out of a heart of deep and pure love.