Philemon 1:18

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Philemon 1:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But if he hath wronged the at all, or oweth [thee] aught, put that to mine account;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But if he hath wronged the at all, or oweth [thee] aught, put that to mine account;
Philemon 1:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Philemon 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18But if he hath wronged the at all, or oweth [thee] aught, put that to mine account;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If he hath wronged thee, &c.] By squandering away his time, spoiling his work, or corrupting his fellow servants: or oweth thee ought; by embezzling his master's goods, robbing him of his money, and running away from his service: put that on mine account; Signifying that he would be answerable for all, and make good all debts and damages.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Greek, "But it (thou art not inclined to 'receive him' because) he hath wronged thee"; a milder term than "robbed thee." Onesimus seems to have confessed some such act to Paul. put that on mine account--I am ready to make good the loss to thee if required. The latter parts of Plm 1:19, Plm 1:21, imply that he did not expect Philemon would probably demand it.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If he hath wronged thee - Either by escaping from you, or by failing to perform what he had agreed to, or by unfaithfulness when he was with you as a servant, or by taking your property when he went away. Any of these methods would meet all that is said here, and it is impossible to determine in which of them he had done Philemon wrong. It may be observed, however, that the apostle evinces much delicacy in this matter. He does not say that he had wronged him, but he makes a supposition that he might have done it. Doubtless, Philemon would suppose that he had done it, even if he had done no more than to escape from him, and, whatever Paul’s views of that might be, he says that even if it were…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:18 Onesimus might have stolen some things from Philemon’s home or had a debt to pay off when he ran away.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“put that: Isa 53:4-7 \*Heb: Philemon 1:19”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification