Philemon 1:21

τῇ ὑπακοῇ σου : a hint regarding the authority which St. Paul has a right to wield. ἔγραψα : see note on Philemon 1:19. ὑπὲρ ἅ : as it stands this is quite indefinite, but there is much point in Lightfoot's supposition that the thought of the manumission of Philemon was in St. Paul's mind; “throughout this epistle the idea would seem to be present to his thoughts, though the word never passes his lips. This reserve is eminently characteristic of the Gospel. Slavery is never directly attacked as such, but principles are inculcated which must prove fatal to it.” λέγω : note the tense here, a very vivid touch after ἔγραψα.