Verse 19
Evidently Paul wrote this whole epistle with his own hand rather than through a secretary as was his custom. [Note: Cf. Hiebert, p. 119; Kent, p. 175.] Alternatively Paul may have signed his name at this point and then personally wrote out his guarantee. [Note: Dunn, p. 339.] Paul reminded Philemon of his own debt to the apostle (Philemon 1:19). Apparently Philemon had become a Christian through Paul’s ministry either directly or indirectly.
The phrase in parentheses in this verse is a rhetorical device called paraleipsis. In it a writer states that he is reluctant to say something that he does nevertheless say. It is a way of inserting information delicately. [Note: Hiebert, p. 120. Cf. Marvin R. Vincent, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Philippians and to Philemon, p. 190.]
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