Philemon 1:19

Verse

I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.

American Standard Version (1901)

I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.

Bible in Basic English

I, Paul, writing this myself, say, I will make payment to you: and I do not say to you that you are in debt to me even for your life.

Douay-Rheims 1899

I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to say to thee, that thou owest me thy own self also.

Free Bible Version

I Paul am signing this with my own hand: I will repay you. Of course I won't mention what you owe me, including your very self!

Geneva Bible 1599

I Paul haue written this with mine owne hande: I will recompense it, albeit I doe not say to thee, that thou owest moreouer vnto me euen thine owne selfe.

King James (Authorized) Version

I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

Plain English Version

This is me, Paul, writing this with my own hand so you can be sure I mean it, I will pay that money back to you. But remember you already got a lot from me. I told you about Jesus, and he gave you real life.

Translation for Translators

I, Paul, am now writing this in my own handwriting: I will repay you what he owes you, although I might mention to you that you owe me even more than Onesimus may owe you, because it was the result of my telling you about Christ that God saved you.

Unlocked Literal Bible

I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I myself will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your own self!

Noah Webster Bible

I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it : although I do not say to thee that thou owest to me even thy own self besides.

World English Bible

I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).

Young's Literal Translation

I, Paul did write with my hand, I — I will repay; that I may not say that also thyself, besides, to me thou dost owe.

Context

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

¹⁸But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.¹⁹I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.

Summary

In Philemon 1:19, the Apostle Paul expresses confidence in Philemon's obedience and willingness to do even more than requested. This verse reflects Paul's belief in Philemon's character and integrity, as well as his trust in Philemon's commitment to following Christ. Paul's words convey a sense of encouragement and affirmation, urging Philemon to continue living out his faith in practical ways. Overall, Philemon 1:19 serves as a reminder of the importance of faith in action and the transformative power of Christ in the lives of believers.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

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 Th2 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 unto me; even thine own self, as having been the means of thy conversion.

John Gill Bible Commentary

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 ironical expression, nor a piece of vanity in the apostle; he spoke seriously, and heartily, and meant what he said; and though his circumstances were often so mean, that he was forced to work with his own hands to minister to his necessities; yet such was his interest in the churches, and such their obligation to him, on account of his personal and useful ministrations to them, that he could easily raise a sum of money among them, upon any emergent occasion; so that Philemon had a good surety and paymaster of the apostle: and this shows his great humility to be a bondsman for a servant, and to make good damages and debts brought on in a scandalous manner; as also that suretyship in some cases is lawful, though it ought to be cautiously, and for very good reasons, entered into: and this engagement of the apostle for Onesimus bears some resemblance with, and may serve to illustrate the suretyship of Christ, for his people, they, and Onesimus, being much in a like condition; as he was an unprofitable and run away servant, so they are all gone out of the way, and together become unprofitable; and Christ engaged with his Father to bring them back again, and set them before him; and by his sufferings and death has brought them nigh, which were afar off; as he had wronged his master and was indebted to him, so they have injured the law of God, affronted his justice, and incurred his displeasure; and having owed to him more than ten thousand talents, and having nothing to pay, Christ engaged to satisfy law and justice, to make reconciliation for them, and pay all their debts; all which he has accordingly done; their sins have been placed to his account, imputed to him, and charged upon him; and he has bore them, and the punishment due to them, and so has satisfied for them, and restored that which he took not away, Albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides; having respect to his conversion, which he was the happy instrument of the apostle was his spiritual father, and he was his son, according to the common faith; he had been the instrument of saving his soul from death; he had been the means of that in the hand of God, which all his riches, and the riches of his friends and relations, could never have procured: the salvation of his soul, his better part, was instrumentally owing to him, and so his whole self; and therefore, what favour might he not ask of him? and what was it he could, or should deny him? this the apostle introduces in a very artificial manner, and does not insist upon it, but suggests, that should he forgive the injuries and debts, he had took upon him to make satisfaction for, it would not be an equivalent to the debt he owed to him. From hence may be observed, how greatly obliged regenerated persons are to those, who have been the means and instruments of their conversion.

Philemon 1:19

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

¹⁸But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.¹⁹I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.

American Standard Version (1901)

I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.

Bible in Basic English

I, Paul, writing this myself, say, I will make payment to you: and I do not say to you that you are in debt to me even for your life.

Douay-Rheims 1899

I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to say to thee, that thou owest me thy own self also.

Free Bible Version

I Paul am signing this with my own hand: I will repay you. Of course I won't mention what you owe me, including your very self!

Geneva Bible 1599

I Paul haue written this with mine owne hande: I will recompense it, albeit I doe not say to thee, that thou owest moreouer vnto me euen thine owne selfe.

King James (Authorized) Version

I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

Plain English Version

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I myself will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your own self!

Noah Webster Bible

I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it : although I do not say to thee that thou owest to me even thy own self besides.

World English Bible

I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).

Young's Literal Translation

I, Paul did write with my hand, I — I will repay; that I may not say that also thyself, besides, to me thou dost owe.

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Philemon 1:19

Verse

Context

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Philemon 1:19

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes