For even if I should boast too much about the authority the Lord gave us for building you people up [spiritually], and not tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.
Philemon 1:8 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) Therefore, although in [the fellowship of] Christ I have enough boldness to order you to do the proper thing, More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Therefore, though I have abundant boldness in Christ to charge you to do what is fitting and required and your duty to do, American Standard Version (1901) Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting, Common English Bible Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to command you to do the right thing, Catholic Public Domain Version Because of this, I have enough confidence in Christ Jesus to command you concerning certain things, Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Wherefore though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus, to command thee that which is to the purpose: |
For even if I should boast too much about the authority the Lord gave us for building you people up [spiritually], and not tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.
I am ashamed to say that we were [too] weak to do such things. [Note: Paul is probably saying, sarcastically, “We are too ‘weak’ to take financial advantage of people and mistreat them the way those ‘super apostles’ there in Corinth were doing”]. Yet, in whatever [matters] anyone [there] dares to boast about, (now I am really speaking foolishly), I will dare to boast also.
Therefore, since we have such a hope [i.e., that the Gospel is much superior to the law], we speak with great boldness,
Nor should obscenity, silly chatter or double-meaning jokes be used, because they are not proper either. But instead, [you should express] thanksgiving.
But [even though] we had already suffered and been mistreated at Philippi [See Acts 16:19-24], as you people know, we had the boldness, [with help] from God, to tell you His message in spite of much struggle [i.e., opposition].
[And] we were not looking for honor from people, either from you or from anyone else, even though, as apostles of Christ, we could have become a burden [to you]. [Note: The idea seems to be that the apostles could have claimed financial support, but chose not to].