Philemon 1 · Verse 19

Philemon 1:19

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.
Philemon 1:19, King James Version

Philemon 1:19 in other translations

BSBI, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.
WEBI, 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).
ASVI 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.
YLTI, Paul did write with my hand, I--I will repay; that I may not say that also thyself, besides, to me thou dost owe.
DARBYI Paul have written it with mine own hand; I will repay it: that I say not to thee that thou owest even thine own self also to me.
BBEI, 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.
WebsterI 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.

What does Philemon 1:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
19. with mine own hand--not employing an amanuensis, as in other Epistles: a special compliment to Philemon which he ought to show his appreciation of by granting Paul's request. Contrast Col 4:18, which shows that the Epistle to the Colossian Church, accompanying this Epistle, had only its closing "salutation" written by Paul's own hand. albeit, &c.--literally, "that I may not say ... not to say," &c. thou owest ... even thine own self--not merely thy possessions. For to my instrumentality thou owest thy salvation. So the debt which "he oweth thee" being transferred upon me (I making myself responsible for it) is cancelled.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 19. I Paul have written it with mine own hand. It has been inferred from this, that Paul wrote this entire epistle with his own hand, though this was contrary to his usual practice. Comp. Rom 16:22; 1Cor 16:21; Gall 6:11. He undoubtedly meant to refer to this as a mark of special favour towards Philemon, and as furnishing security that he would certainly be bound for what he had promised.

I will repay it. I will be security for it. It is not probable that Paul supposed that Philemon would rigidly exact it from him, but if he did, he would feel himself bound to pay it.

Albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me thine own self besides. Paul had doubtless been the means of the conversion of Philemon, and whatever hope he cherished of eternal life, was to be traced to his instrumentality. Paul says that this was equivalent to his owing himself to him. It is very life--his eternal welfare---was to be traced to his labours. What he asked now of him was a small matter compared with this, and he seems to have supposed--what was probably true--that for this consideration, Philemon would not think of exacting of him what he had voluntarily obligated himself to obey.

(*) "do not say" "not to say"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 19 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 2Thes 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philemon 1:15-22

When we speak of the nature of any sin or offence against God, the evil of it is not to be lessened; but in a penitent sinner, as God covers it, so must we. Such changed characters often become a blessing to all among whom they reside. Christianity does not do away our duties to others, but directs to the right doing of them. True penitents will be open in owning their faults, as doubtless Onesimus had been to Paul…

Read the full comment on Philemon 1:15-22 →

Philemon 1:19 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἘγὼEgōI myselfG1473
ΠαῦλοςPaulosPaulG3972
ἔγραψαegrapsadid writeG1125
τῇtēa<the>G3588
ἐμῇemēawith my ownG1473
χειρί,cheirihand,G5495
ἐγὼegōI myselfG1473
ἀποτίσω·apotisōwill repay [it];G661
ἵναinathatG2443
μὴmēnotG3361
λέγωlegōI may sayG3004
σοιsoito youG4771
ὅτιhotithatG3754
καὶkaievenG2532
σεαυτόνseautonyourselfG4771
μοιmoito meG3165
προσοφείλεις.prosopheileisyou owe also.G4359

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philemon 1:19

  • Galatians 6:11

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

  • 1 Corinthians 16:21-22

    The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha.

  • Galatians 5:2

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

  • James 5:19-20

    Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

  • 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? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:2

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

  • 1 Timothy 1:2

    Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

  • Titus 1:4

    To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I Paul.
1Co 16:21,22; Ga 5:2; 6:11
how thou.
1Co 4:15; 9:1,2; 2Co 3:2; 1Ti 1:2; Tit 1:4; Jas 5:19,20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philemon 1:18

    If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

  • Philemon 1:19

    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.

  • Philemon 1:20

    Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Read all of Philemon 1

Philemon 1:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Yo Pablo lo escribí de mi mano, yo lo pagaré: por no decirte que aun á ti mismo te me debes demás.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Moi, Paul, je l’ai écrit de ma propre main; moi, je paierai, pour ne pas te dire que tu te dois toi-même aussi à moi.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich, Paulus, habe es mit meiner Hand geschrieben, ich will bezahlen; daß ich dir nicht sage, daß du auch dich selbst mir schuldig bist.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ego Paulus scripsi mea manu: ego reddam, ut non dicam tibi, quod et teipsum mihi debes: