SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:14
mas nada quise hacer sin tu consejo, porque tu beneficio no fuese como de necesidad, sino voluntario.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:14
Verse 14. That thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity] If the apostle had kept Onesimus in his service, and written to Philemon to forgive him and permit him to stay, to this it is probable he would have agreed; but the benefit thus conceded might have lost much of its real worth by the consideration that, had he been at Colosse, Philemon would not have sent him to Rome; but, being there and in the apostle's service, he could not with propriety order him home: thus the benefit to the apostle would have appeared to have been of necessity. The apostle, therefore, by sending him back again, gave Philemon the opportunity to do all as if self-moved to it. This is a very delicate touch.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. But without thy mind would I do nothing , &c.] 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-14 - It does not lower any one to condescend, and sometimes even to beseech where, in strictness of right, we might command: the apostle argue from love, rather than authority, in behalf of one converted throug his means; and this was Onesimus. In allusion to that name, whic signifies "profitable," the apostle allows that in time past he ha been unprofitable to Philemon, but hastens to mention the change by which he had become profitable. Unholy persons are unprofitable; the answer not the great end of their being. But what happy change conversion makes! of evil, good; of unprofitable, useful. Religiou servants are treasures in a family. Such will make conscience of their time and trusts, and manage all they can for the best. No prospect of usefulness should lead any to neglect their obligations, or to fail in obedience to superiors. One great evidence of true repentance consist in returning to practise the duties which have been neglected. In his unconverted state, Onesimus had withdrawn, to his master's injury; but now he had seen his sin and repented, he was willing and desirous to return to his duty. Little do men know for what purposes the Lor leaves some to change their situations, or engage in undertakings perhaps from evil motives. Had not the Lord overruled some of ou ungodly projects, we may reflect upon cases, in which our destructio must have been sure.
Greek Textus Receptus
χωρις 5565 δε 1161 της 3588 σης 4674 γνωμης 1106 ουδεν 3762 ηθελησα 2309 5656 ποιησαι 4160 5658 ινα 2443 μη 3361 ως 5613 κατα 2596 αναγκην 318 το 3588 αγαθον 18 σου 4675 η 5600 5753 αλλα 235 κατα 2596 εκουσιον 1595
Vincent's NT Word Studies
14. I would (hqelhsa). Compare I would, ver. 13. Here the aorist tense and the verb meaning to will denote a single, decisive resolution. As it were of necessity (wv kata anagkhn). Wv as it were, Rev., as, marks the appearance of necessity. Philemon's kindly reception of Onesimus must not even seem to be constrained.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:14 {Without thy mind} (cwris ts ss gnwmes). Judgment, purpose (#1Co 1:10; 7:25). Ablative case with cwris (apart from). {I would do nothing} (ouden eqelesa poiesai). First aorist active indicative of qelw, I decided, I wished, decision reached (cf. eboulomen in verse #13. {Thy goodness} (to agaqon sou). Neuter articular adjective (thy good deed). {As of necessity} (h"s kata anagkn). "As if according to compulsion." See #2Co 9:7. {But of free will} (alla kata hekousion). According to what is voluntary (#Nu 15:3). Perhaps tropon (way, manner) is to be understood with the adjective hekousios (old word, here alone in N.T.), from hekwn (#1Co 9:17; Ro 8:20).
