Philemon 1:18

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 'But [ de (G1161)] if (thou wilt not "receive him" because) he hath wronged thee:' milder than 'robbed thee.' Onesimus confessed some such act to Paul. PUT THAT ON MINE ACCOUNT - I am ready to make good the loss to thee, if required. Philemon 1:19, Philemon 1:21 imply that he did not expect Philemon would demand it....

18_If in any thing he hath done thee injury_. Hence we may infer that Onesimus had likewise stolen something from his master, as was customary with fugitives; and yet he softens the criminality of the act, by adding, _or if he oweth thee anything _Not only was there a bond between them recognised by civil law, but the slave had become indebted to his master by the wrong which he had inflicted on him. So much the greater, therefore, was the kindness of Paul, who was even ready to give satisfaction for a crime....

15-22 When we speak of the nature of any sin or offence against God, the evil of it is not to be lessened; but in a penitent sinner, as God covers it, so must we. Such changed characters often become a blessing to all among whom they reside. Christianity does not do away our duties to others, but directs to the right doing of them. True penitents will be open in owning their faults, as doubtless Onesimus had been to Paul, upon his being awakened and brought to repentance; especially in cases of injury done to others. The communion of saints does not destroy distinction of property. This passage is an instance of that being imputed to one, which is contracted by another; and of one becoming answerable for another, by a voluntary engagement, that he might be freed from the punishment due to his crimes, according to the doctrine that Christ of his own will bore the punishment of our sins,...

Verse Philemon 1:18. _IF HE HATH WRONGED THEE, OR OWETH_ THEE _AUGHT_] Had the apostle been assured that Onesimus had _robbed_ his master, he certainly would not have spoken in this hypothetical way; he only puts a possible case: If he have wronged thee, or owe thee aught, place all to my account; I will discharge all he owes thee....

IF HE HATH WRONGED THEE - Either by escaping from you, or by failing to perform what he had agreed to, or by unfaithfulness when he was with you as a servant, or by taking your property when he went away. Any of these methods would meet all that is said here, and it is impossible to determine in which of them he had done Philemon wrong. It may be observed, however, that the apostle evinces much delicacy in this matter. He does not say that he had wronged him, but he makes a supposition that he might have done it. Doubtless, Philemon would suppose that he had done it, even if he had done no more than to escape from him, and, whatever Paul’s views of that might be, he says that even if it were so, he would wish him to set that over to his account. He took the blame on himself, and asked Philemon not to remember it against Onesimus. OR OWETH THEE OUGHT - It appears from this, that Onesimus,...

EXPOSITION PHILEMON 1:1 A PRISONER OF CHRIST JESUS. He writes a private letter, as friend to friend, and therefore does not describe himself by his official title of apostle. Having to plead the cause of a _slave_,_ _he begins by putting himself into a similar position as the "bondman of Jesus Christ"—"to obtain thereby the more ready compliance" (Chrysostom). By such a reverend bondage he beseeches Philemon, "and the bondage of Paul was liberty to Onesimus" (Scipio Gentilis). TIMOTHY, etc. He was, then, with St. Paul at the time of writing; therefore at Rome; and this fixes the date of composition at all events before that of the Second Epistle to Timothy, when the apostle was again at Rome (2 Timothy 1:17;...

IF HE HATH WRONGED THEE,.... By squandering away his time, spoiling his work, or corrupting his fellow servants: OR OWETH THEE OUGHT; by embezzling his master's goods, robbing him of his money, and running away from his service: PUT THAT ON MINE ACCOUNT; Signifying that he would be answerable for all, and make good all debts and damages....

ACCOUNT (Philemon 1:17); (Philemon 1:18) perfectly illustrate imputation: "Receive him as myself" -- reckon to him my merit; "If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account" -- reckon to me his demerit. See "Imputation," (Leviticus 25:50). (_ See Scofield) - (James 2:23). _...

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATION _ 1. The greeting (Philemon 1:1)_ 2. Recognition of Philemon's faith and love (Philemon 1:4) 3. Concerning the reception of Onesimus (Philemon 1:8) 4.The conclusion (Philemon 1:22) Philemon 1:1 He speaks of himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus; the Lord had made him a prisoner. He addresses Philemon (meaning: friendly, loving), the beloved, and his fellow-laborer. Apphia was probably the wife of Philemon; Archippus is called “fellow soldier”; he ministered in the Colossian assembly ...

THE REQUEST ON BEHALF OF ONESIMUS. Paul might confidently presume to issue commands to Philemon Paul an ambassador, and at the time of writing actually a prisoner, of Christ Jesus but for love's sake he prefers to make entreaty. He entreats Philemon, therefore, on behalf of one who has become his son, the child of his imprisonment, Onesimus an unprofitable servant, it is to be feared, to Philemon in the past, but now the reverse of unprofitable to him, yes, and to Paul too. Paul sends him back this dear fellow whom he has come to love as his own heart though sorely tempted to keep him to render service on Philemon's behalf to one who is a prisoner for the gospel's sake. He has been reluctant, however, to take any steps without Philemon's consent; he did not wish a benefit of this kind to wear the appearance of compulsion; it must be a matter of free-will. Moreover, it may have been God's...