Philemon 1:8 (DRB)

Passage

Wherefore, though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus to command thee that which is to the purpose:

Nearby Context

Philemon 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work that is in you in Christ Jesus.

Philemon 1:7 For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

Philemon 1:8 Wherefore, though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus to command thee that which is to the purpose:

Philemon 1:9 For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ.

Philemon 1:10 I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus,

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "purpose", "wherefore", "though", "much", "confidence", "christ", "jesus", and "command". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "purpose" and "wherefore", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 7's "For I have had great joy and..." into verse 9's "For charity sake I rather beseech whereas...", so "purpose" and "wherefore" belong inside that flow. In Philemon context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "purpose" and "wherefore" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.