Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Philemon 1:14

"but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will." — Philemon 1:14 (ASV)

Paul has been speaking as an urbane, deferential, educated man of the classical world. But now, after he has cited a number of reasons for allowing Onesimus to remain with him, he goes further and urges Philemon to make his decision out of Christian love rather than obligation. How could Philemon refuse Paul’s plea for him?