Philemon 1:14

14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.

Philemon 1:14 in Other Translations

KJV
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
ESV
14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.
NLT
14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.
MSG
14 But I didn't want to do anything behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn't willingly agreed to.
CSB
14 But I didn't want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will.

Philemon 1:14 In-Context

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.
13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.
14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.
15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—
16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Peter 5:2
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