v. 18 Paul then hastened to remove a possible obstacle. Pilfering was common among slaves (cf. Titus 2:10). Paul seemed to be unaware of anything specific that Onesimus owed Philemon, but he offered to pay whatever might be indebted if such a condition existed. Onesimus may have stolen from Philemon,36or he may simply have run away and so caused his master inconvenience.37"Charge that to my account"means the same as "impute it to me."Paul's offer is a beautiful illustration of biblical forgiveness based on imputation (cf. Rom. 5:13; 2 Cor. 5:21).38
v. 19 Evidently Paul wrote this whole epistle with his own hand rather than through a secretary as was his custom.39Alternatively Paul may have signed his name at this point and then personally wrote out his guarantee.40Paul reminded Philemon of his own debt to the apostle (v. 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.41
v. 20 By receiving and forgiving Onesimus Philemon would be repaying Paul and encouraging him. Another play on words occurs in that the Greek word translated "benefit"is the root of the one translated "Onesimus."One writer rendered this clause, "Let me get help as well as you get Helpful."42
