Philemon 1:19
New International Version
I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self.

New Living Translation
I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul !

English Standard Version
I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.

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.

Berean Literal Bible
I Paul did write with my own hand. I will repay it, that I may not say to you that you owe also to me even yourself.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.

New American Standard Bible
I, Paul, have written this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).

NASB 1995
I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).

NASB 1977
I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (lest I should mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).

Legacy Standard Bible
I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).

Amplified Bible
I, Paul, write this with my own hand, I will repay it in full (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
With my own hand I write: I, PAUL, WILL PAY YOU BACK. But don't forget you owe me your life.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I, Paul, promise to pay it back. I'm writing this with my own hand. I won't even mention that you owe me your life.

Good News Translation
Here, I will write this with my own hand: I, Paul, will pay you back. (I should not have to remind you, of course, that you owe your very self to me.)

International Standard Version
I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. (I will not mention to you that you owe me your very life.)

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

NET Bible
I, Paul, have written this letter with my own hand: I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe me your very self.

New Heart 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).

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
I Paul write this with my own hand--I will pay you in full. (I say nothing of the fact that you owe me even your own self.)

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).
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I, Paul, wrote with my hand, I will repay; besides, that I may not say that you also owe to me yourself.

Berean Literal Bible
I Paul did write with my own hand. I will repay it, that I may not say to you that you owe also to me even yourself.

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.

Smith's Literal Translation
I Paul wrote with my hand, I will pay back: that I say not to thee, for thou owest thyself to me also in addition.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I, Paul, have written this with my own hand: I will repay. And I need not tell you, that you are also in debt yourself, to me.

New American Bible
I, Paul, write this in my own hand: I will pay. May I not tell you that you owe me your very self.

New Revised Standard Version
I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I, Paul, have written this with my own hand; I will repay it, not reminding you that you owe to me even your own life.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I, Paul, have written with my hand; I myself will pay, without saying to you also that you owe me your soul.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
I, Paul, do write it with my own hand, I will repay it; that I may not say to you, that you owe to me even yourself besides.

Godbey New Testament
I Paul have written with my own hand, I will pay it: not that I may say to you that you even owe yourself to me.

Haweis New Testament
I Paul have given it under my own hand, I will repay it, not to say to thee, that thou owest even thine own self unto me.

Mace New Testament
I Paul give it under my own hand, I will repay it; not to say, that you owe your very self to me.

Weymouth New Testament
I Paul write this with my own hand--I will pay you in full. (I say nothing of the fact that you owe me even your own self.)

Worrell New Testament
I Paul wrote it with my own hand, I will repay it; that I say not to you, that you owe me even your own self besides.

Worsley New Testament
I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will pay it: not to say that thou indeed owest even thy own self to me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



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. 20Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.…

Cross References
Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Galatians 6:5
For each one should carry his own load.

Matthew 18:27
His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him.

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

Luke 7:41-42
“Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. / When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?”

Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

1 Corinthians 6:20
you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

2 Thessalonians 3:8
nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

Proverbs 22:26-27
Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts. / If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

Exodus 22:14
If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while its owner is not present, he must make full restitution.

Leviticus 25:35-37
Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. / Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. / You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.

Deuteronomy 15:2
This is the manner of remission: Every creditor shall cancel what he has loaned to his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s time of release has been proclaimed.

Nehemiah 5:11-12
Please restore to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and oil that you have been assessing them.” / “We will restore it,” they replied, “and will require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they would do what they had promised.


Treasury of Scripture

I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to you how you owe to me even your own self besides.

I Paul.

1 Corinthians 16:21,22
The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand…

Galatians 5:2
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Galatians 6:11
Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

how thou.

1 Corinthians 4:15
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:1,2
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? …

2 Corinthians 3:2
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

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Philemon 1
1. Paul rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon,
8. whom he desires to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again.














I, Paul
The introduction of the personal pronoun "I" followed by the name "Paul" is significant. In the Greek, "ἐγὼ Παῦλος" (egō Paulos) emphasizes the personal involvement and authority of the apostle. Paul is not merely dictating this letter; he is personally invested in the situation. Historically, Paul was a prominent figure in the early church, known for his missionary journeys and epistles. His name carries weight and authority, underscoring the importance of the message to Philemon.

write this with my own hand
The phrase indicates that Paul is personally penning this part of the letter, which was not always the case with his epistles. In Greek, "ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί" (egrapsa tē emē cheiri) suggests a personal touch and authenticity. This act of writing with his own hand serves as a form of guarantee or promissory note, emphasizing the seriousness of his commitment. In the historical context, letters were often dictated to a scribe, so this personal touch would have been particularly meaningful to Philemon.

I will repay it
Paul's promise to repay any debt incurred by Onesimus is a powerful statement of responsibility and reconciliation. The Greek "ἀποτίσω" (apotisō) implies a future action of repayment, showing Paul's willingness to bear the cost for the sake of reconciliation. This reflects the Christian principle of bearing one another's burdens, as seen in Galatians 6:2. It also mirrors the sacrificial love of Christ, who paid the ultimate debt for humanity's sins.

not to mention
This phrase, "ἵνα μὴ λέγω" (hina mē legō), serves as a rhetorical device. Paul uses it to gently remind Philemon of a deeper obligation without directly stating it. It reflects a tactful approach, appealing to Philemon's sense of gratitude and moral duty. This subtlety is characteristic of Paul's writing style, where he often employs persuasion rather than command.

that you owe me your very self
Here, Paul reminds Philemon of a personal debt, likely referring to Philemon's conversion to Christianity through Paul's ministry. The Greek "καὶ σεαυτὸν μοι προσοφείλεις" (kai seauton moi prosopheileis) suggests a deep, personal indebtedness. This is not a financial debt but a spiritual one, highlighting the transformative impact of Paul's ministry on Philemon's life. In a broader scriptural context, it underscores the interconnectedness of the Christian community, where spiritual debts are acknowledged and honored.

(19) I Paul have written it with mine own hand.--St. Paul actually introduces here a regular bond couched in legal form, written (as, perhaps, the whole Letter was written) with his own hand. In so doing he still continues the idea of the preceding verse; but the following words show that, though willing to stand to his bond, he knew Philemon too well to suppose that he would accept it.

It is clear from this passage that the Apostle had money which he could rightly call his own. At Ephesus, where he probably first knew Philemon, it would probably be earned in the work with Aquila and Priscilla, as at Corinth, and it is possible that some of it might still remain. In Rome now, it could hardly be from any other source than the offerings from the Church at Philippi. They were given him freely; he might fairly spend them on his own "son in the faith."

Albeit I do not say to thee . . .--Literally, not to say to thee. Here St. Paul escapes from the business-like promise of the last verse to the freer Atmosphere of spiritual relations. He knew that this promise it was right for him to offer, but wrong for Philemon to accept. Philemon owed his own self--his new self in Christ--to the Apostle. In that was a debt which he could not repay, but would rejoice even in this smaller matter to acknowledge.

Verse 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 to me!" Philemon owed to the apostle that debt of which the obligation outweighed every other - the help by which he had been led out of spiritual darkness and brought to the knowledge of the truth. St. Paul was (as we must conclude from this allusion) the "spiritual father" of Philemon - a phrase he himself uses in 1 Corinthians 4:15.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I,
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

Paul,
Παῦλος (Paulos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

write [this]
ἔγραψα (egrapsa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

with
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

my own
ἐμῇ (emē)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1699: My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.

hand.
χειρί (cheiri)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5495: A hand.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

will repay [it]—
ἀποτίσω (apotisō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 661: To repay, pay what is due (by way of punishment or fine), make good. From apo and tino; to pay in full.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

to
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

mention
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

you owe
προσοφείλεις (prosopheileis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4359: To owe besides (in addition). From pros and opheilo; to be indebted additionally.

me
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

your very self.
σεαυτόν (seauton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4572: Of yourself.


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NT Letters: Philemon 1:19 I Paul write this with my own (Phm Phl)
Philemon 1:18
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