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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philemon 1:8-25

We have here, I. The main business of the epistle, which was to plead with Phlm. on behalf of Onesimus, that he would receive him and be reconciled to him. Many arguments Paul urges for this purpose, Phlm. 1:8-21. The 1st Argument is taken from what was before noted, and is carried in the illative wherefore: ?Seeing so much good is reported of thee and found in thee, especially thy love to all saints, now let me see it on a fresh and further occasion; refresh the bowels of Onesimus and mine... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philemon 1:18-25

1:18-25 If he has done you any damage or owes you anything, put it down to my account. I, Paul, write with my own hand--I will repay it, not to mention to you that you owe your very self to me. Yes, my brother, let me make some Christian profit out of you! Refresh my heart in Christ. It is with complete confidence in your willingness to listen that I write to you, for I know well that you will do more than I ask. At the same time get ready a lodging place for me; for I hope that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:19

I Paul have written it, with mine own hand ,.... Meaning either this epistle, which being short, he used no amanuensis, but wrote it all himself, and which might be taken as an engagement to do what he promised; or else a bill, a promissory note, written with his own hand, which he sent along with Onesimus, by which he laid himself under obligation to give Philemon full satisfaction in every thing, in which he had been injured by his servant; adding, I will repay it : this was not an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:19

I Paul have written it with mine own hand - It is likely that the whole of the letter was written by St. Paul himself, which was not his usual custom. See on 2 Thessalonians 3:17 ; (note). But by thus speaking he bound Philemon to do what he requested, as an act of common civility, if he could not feel a higher motive from what he had already urged. Albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me - I ask thee to do this thing to oblige me, though I will not say how much thou owest... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:19

Verse 19 19Not to tell thee that thou owest to me thyself. By this expression he intended to describe how confidently he believes that he will obtain it; as if he had said, “There is nothing that thou couldest refuse to give me, even though I should demand thyself.” To the same purpose is what follows about lodging and other matters, as we shall immediately see. There remains one question. How does Paul — who, if he had not been aided by the churches, had not the means of living sparingly and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:18-19

The apostle's frank acceptance of pecuniary responsibility for Onesimus. The injured master might plead that it was enough for him to forbear punishing his unfaithful servant, but the injuries he had received put it out of his power to replace him in his household. I. THERE IS HERE AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE WRONG DONE BY THE NOW PENITENT SLAVE . "If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that to mine account." It is evident that Onesimus had frankly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:19

I Paul have written —write it (Revised Version)— with my own hand, I will repay it. Thus St. Paul took upon himself legally the repayment of the debt. " Prioribus verbis proprie cautio [a bail or security] continetur: his autem constituti obligatio. Hoc Latine dicitur pecuniam constituere: de quo titulus est in Digestis ἀναδέχεσθαι dicunt Graeci " (Scipio Gentilis). Albeit I do not say to thee, etc.; "though I do not remind thee [while so saying] that thou owest even thyself... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:19

Spiritual benefits the most valuable of all; Since St. Paul had (as it appears) won to the embracing of the faith of Christ as well Philemon himself as Onesimus his slave, he rightly reminds him, as his first and most powerful argument, that Philemon owes himself and his very life (that is, the life of his soul) to him. I. HE DOES NOT SUM UP THIS OBLIGATION . He leaves it to the conscience of Philemon to consider how much he was indebted. It was, perhaps, incommensurable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:19-20

Personal obligation. "Thine own self." This is more than all else. We can call nothing "our own" but "the self." We are not rich in what we have , but in what we are . All things , houses, estates, lands, are outside us. The self is all. I. INDEBTEDNESS OF PHILEMON . Philemon owed his spiritual conversion, all the rich inheritance in the soul, to the ministry of Paul; and he delicately enough reminds him of this in an indirect form of speech, "Albeit I do not say... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:19

I Paul have written it with mine own hand - It has been inferred from this, that Paul wrote this entire Epistle with his own hand, though this was contrary to his usual practice; compare the Romans 16:22 note; 1 Corinthians 16:21 note; Galatians 6:11 note. He undoubtedly meant to refer to this as a mark of special favor toward Philemon, and as furnishing security that he would certainly be bound for what he had promised.I will repay it - I will be security for it. It is not probable that Paul... read more

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