Kathemerinosatos

Philemon 1:21

Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Paul´s letter is full of appeal and hope. The letter suggests that Philemon was a good man because of the confidence we see in Paul. He is even confident that he will do even more than what he asks for. In obedience, Philemon is fulfilling his Christian duties to God. It also seems as if Paul is also indirectly asserting his apostolic authority over Philemon.

What is Paul thinking about when he says that ´you will even do more than I say? ´ It seems as if he is proposing the complete freedom of Onesimus. He might also be suggesting that Philemon will allow Onesimus to go back to work with Paul who was under house arrest. Thirdly, Paul might have been suggesting freedom without restitution. However, in the letter we see that they were cordial relationship between Paul and Philemon. Two takeaways for today are; 1. Obedience is part of our Christian duty. 2. Confidence in negotiations happens when they are good relations