Philemon 1:14

Χωρὶς δὲ τῆς σῆς γνώμης. “But apart from (Romans 10:14) thy judgment.” For γνώμη see esp. 1 Corinthians 1:10 with Lightfoot’s note there. σῆς (not τῆς γνώμης σου) for emphasis.

ἵνα μὴ ὡς κατὰ�. For κατὰ�† cf. 2Ma 15:2 τῶν δὲ κατὰ�. Cf. ἐξ� 2 Corinthians 9:7; Hebrews 7:12†. ὡς that there might not be even an appearance of constraint.

τὸ�. (a) The usual meaning of ἀγαθόν is passive, an advantage or blessing received, cf. Philemon 1:6. So also even Romans 14:6, where it = the blessing of Christian liberty. But here it would hardly be gracious of St Paul to refer again to ὑπὲρ σοῦ (Philemon 1:13) and speak of the advantage that Philemon would have received through Onesimus. (b) Hence we must attribute to it an active sense, either (α) specifically, thy kind action in this case, or, and more probably, (β) generally “thy kindness.” It thus approaches the meaning of ἀγαθωσύνη, but perhaps is more abstract.

The exact direction in which the kindness is here supposed to be shown has been disputed. (1) Philemon 1:15 suggests that it is his kindness towards Onesimus. For had St Paul retained him Philemon would have been compelled to recognise his Christian membership. Whereas now that he is returning to Colossae Philemon will be free to do as he likes. (2) But probably the thought of Philemon 1:13 is continued, and St Paul means that he did not wish to compel Philemon to show to himself the kindness of ministry by means of Onesimus. Could St Paul have retained Onesimus’ services without this apparent constraint on Philemon he might indeed have done so. But he would not under the circumstances.

ἀλλὰ κατὰ ἑκούσιον†. Probably, “but as a freewill offering.”

So Numbers 15:3† μεγαλῦναι εὐχὴν ἢ καθʼ ἑκούσιον “to accomplish a vow, or as a freewill offering.” Similarly a Greek translator has for the same phrase (benedabah) εἰς ἑκούσιον in Leviticus 22:21, and ἑκούσιον for “freewill offering” alone (nedabah) in Philemon 1:23. In Leviticus 7:6 (16), Leviticus 23:38; Numbers 29:39, the LXX. (cf. also Deuteronomy 12:6 A), and in Deuteronomy 23:24 (23) Aquila, Symmachus and Theodotion, translate nedabah sing. or plur. by ἑκούσιον, ἑκούσια (cf. Ezekiel 46:12). No example seems to be forthcoming of its use merely in the sense of “willingly,” though we find καθʼ ἑκούσιον τρόπον (Porphyr. De Abst. I. 9) and καθʼ ἑκουσίαν (sc. γνώμην, Thuc. VIII. 27). Compare also ἑκουσίως 1 Peter 5:2; Hebrews 10:26†.