| Geneva Study Bible But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of {e} necessity, but willingly. (e) That you might not seem to have lent me your servant on constraint, but willingly. People's New Testament 1:14 But without thy mind would I do nothing. He wished, if such a service was rendered, it might be with Philemon's free consent. Wesley's Notes 1:14 That thy benefit might not be by constraint - For Philemon could not have refused it. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 14. without thy mind-that is, consent. should not be as-"should not appear as a matter of necessity, but of free will." Had Paul kept Onesimus, however willing to gratify Paul Philemon might be, he would have no opportunity given him of showing he was so, his leave not having been asked. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:8-14 It does not lower any one to condescend, and sometimes even to beseech, where, in strictness of right, we might command: the apostle argues from love, rather than authority, in behalf of one converted through his means; and this was Onesimus. In allusion to that name, which signifies profitable, the apostle allows that in time past he had been unprofitable to Philemon, but hastens to mention the change by which he had become profitable. Unholy persons are unprofitable; they answer not the great end of their being. But what happy changes conversion makes! of evil, good; of unprofitable, useful. Religious 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 consists 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 In his unconverted state, Onesimus had withdrawn, to his master's injury; but now he had seen his sin and repented, he was willing and desirous to return to his duty.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 Lord leaves some to change their situations, or engage in undertakings, perhaps from evil motives. Had not the Lord overruled some of our ungodly projects, we may reflect upon cases, in which our destruction must have been sure. | 
