Partner. More than an intimate friend. One in Christian fellowship.*
18. If he hath wronged (ei 73/cncev). The indicative mood with the conditional particle may imply that what is put hypo- thetically is really a fact: if he wronged thee as he did.
Oweth. Perhaps indicating that Onesimus had been guilty of theft. Notice the general word wronged instead of the more exact specification of the crime.
Put that on my account (rodro éuol édddya). For the verb, compare Rom. v. 13 (note).
19. | Paul have written, etc. Rev., write. A promissory note. The mention of his autograph here, rather than at the end of the letter, may indicate that he wrote the whole epistle with his own hand, contrary to his usual custom of employing an amanuensis.
Albeit ! do not say (iva py réyo). Lit., that I may not say. Connect with J write. I thus give my note of hand that I may avoid saying that thou owest, etc. Rev., that I say not unto thee.
Thou owest (spocodge/res). Lit., owest tn addition. I have laid you under obligation, not only for an amount equal to that due from Onesimus, but for yourself as made a Christ- ian through my ministry.
20. Yea (va‘). A confirmatory particle, gathering up the whole previous intercession for Onesimus. So Matt. xi. 26, even so; Rev., yea. Luke xi. 51, verily ; Rev., yea. Luke xii. 5, yea.
Let me have joy (ovaiunv). Or help. Lit., may I profit. Again a play upon the name Onesimus. The verb is frequently used with reference to filial duties. Ignatius employs it, in one
* Dean Plumptre thinks that there may be an allusion to business relations between Paul and Philemon: possibly that Philemon or Archippus took the place of Aquila and Priscilla in the tent-making firm. ‘‘St. Paul as a Man of Business,’”’ ‘‘ Expositor,’’ first series, i., 262. This, however, is mere con- jecture.