"But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly." — Philemon 1:14

Philemon 1:14 · KJV

“But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.”

— Philemon 1:14

Verse 13

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

Verse 15

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

Philemon 1 — Context

Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

Cross References

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, {so let him give}; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

1 Peter 5:2-3

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight {thereof}, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; {which...: or, as much as in you is}

1 Chronicles 29:17

I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. {present: Heb. found}

2 Corinthians 9:5

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as {a matter of} bounty, and not as {of} covetousness. {bounty: Gr. blessing} {whereof...: or, which hath been so much spoken of before}

2 Corinthians 8:12

For if there be first a willing mind, {it is} accepted according to that a man hath, {and} not according to that he hath not.

1 Corinthians 9:17

For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation {of the gospel} is committed unto me.

Philemon 1:8-9

Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

2 Corinthians 1:24

Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

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