Book of Philemon - Chapter 1 - Verse 19

In this verse, the Apostle Paul is writing to Philemon, a wealthy Christian who had a slave named Onesimus. Onesimus had run away from Philemon and had become a believer in Christ. Now, Paul is writing to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, asking him to forgive his runaway slave and treat him not as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ.

When Paul says, "I Paul have written it with mine own hand," he is emphasizing the importance and sincerity of his message. By writing the letter himself, Paul is taking personal responsibility for its contents and promises to repay any debts that Onesimus may owe to Philemon. However, Paul goes further by saying, "albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides." This implies that Philemon also owes Paul a debt of gratitude for his own spiritual well-being, as Paul had played a crucial role in bringing him to faith. Therefore, Paul is urging Philemon to extend the same grace and forgiveness to Onesimus that he himself has received from Paul and from God.

In this verse, the apostle Paul is expressing his commitment to take responsibility for any debts owed as well as his reluctance to demand repayment. Scholars debate the exact nature of the debt being referred to here. Some suggest that Paul may be speaking metaphorically, alluding to the spiritual debt that Philemon owes him for leading him to faith in Christ. Others propose that this could be a literal debt owed by Philemon to Paul for some material or financial assistance. The use of the personal pronoun "I" emphasizes Paul's personal involvement in the matter, along with the phrase "with mine own hand," which could possibly indicate the gravity and authenticity of the promise being made. The word "repay" highlights Paul's willingness to settle any accounts but also his desire to handle the matter delicately, as indicated by his subsequent remark, "albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides," suggesting that there is a deeper level of indebtedness that transcends mere material concerns. Overall, this verse showcases Paul's character as both a caring mentor and a humble servant of Christ, willing to extend grace and forgiveness even in situations involving financial obligations.