account Philemon 1:17 ; Philemon 1:18 perfectly illustrate imputation: "Receive him as myself"--reckon to him my merit; "If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account"-- reckon to me his demerit.
See "Imputation," Leviticus 25:50 .
imputation Imputation is the act of God whereby He accounts righteousness to the believer in Christ, who has borne the believer's sins in vindication of the law.
(See Scofield " Philemon 1:18 ") .
righteousness (See Scofield " Romans 3:21 ") .
Verse Meaning
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. [1] Or he may simply have run away and so caused his master inconvenience. [2] "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. Romans 5:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21). [3][source]
Context Summary
Philemon 1:15-25 - To Be Received As A Brother
The Apostle's pleas for the restoration of Onesimus to his old trusted position in the household of Philemon are very touching. He suggests, first, that there may have been a divine purpose in it all, and that the former's flight had been permitted as a step in the entire renovation of the slave's nature. And, therefore, because Philemon and Onesimus were two Christians, their relationship had been transformed. "In the flesh, Philemon has the brother for his slave; in the Lord, Philemon has the slave for his brother." Then in Philemon 1:17 Paul identifies himself with Onesimus; and we are taught to think of our Lord identifying Himself with us, because, as Luther says, "we are all Onesimuses." Further, in Philemon 1:18 Paul offers to assume all the losses which Onesimus had brought on Philemon, and signs the bond with his autograph, as our Lord paid the great ransom price for us all. Finally, Paul delicately reminds his friend, in Philemon 1:19, that Philemon owed him a great deal more than a trifle of money, namely, his spiritual life. Does not our Lord address us in similar terms? We surely owe ourselves to Him!
Owing to the brevity of this Epistle Review Questions are omitted [source]
Chapter Summary: Philemon 1
1Paul rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon, 8whom he desires to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again
Greek Commentary for Philemon 1:18
But if he hath wronged thee at all [ει δε τι ηδικησε σε] Condition of the first class, assumed to be true. Onesimus did wrong He had probably robbed Philemon before he ran away. [source]
Or oweth [η οπειλει] Delicate way of putting the stealing. Put that to mine account (τουτο εμοι ελλογα touto emoi ellogā). Present active imperative of ελλογαω ellogaō In the Koiné{[28928]}š verbs in εω ̇eō often appear in αω ̇aō like ελεεω ελεαω eleeōελλογεω eleaō So with ελλογαω ellogeō as ellogaō late verb in inscriptions and papyri (Deissmann, Light, etc., p. 84), though in N.T. only here and Romans 5:13. It means to set to one‘s account. [source]
Put that to mine account [τουτο εμοι ελλογα] Present active imperative of ελλογαω ellogaō In the Koiné{[28928]}š verbs in εω ̇eō often appear in αω ̇aō like ελεεω ελεαω eleeōελλογεω eleaō So with ελλογαω ellogeō as ellogaō late verb in inscriptions and papyri (Deissmann, Light, etc., p. 84), though in N.T. only here and Romans 5:13. It means to set to one‘s account. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Philemon 1:18
Acts 20:23Save that [πλην οτι] The οτι hoti clause is really in the ablative case after πλην plēn here a preposition as in Philemon 1:18, this idiom πλην οτι plēn hoti occasionally in ancient Greek. [source]
Acts 27:30Were seeking [ζητουντων] Genitive absolute again with present active participle of ζητεω zēteō to seek. Had lowered (χαλασαντων chalasantōn). Aorist active participle of χαλαζω chalazō Under colour Possibly the same word as “prophecy” (from προπημι prȯphēmi to speak forth), but here pretence, pretext, although it may come from προπαινω prophainō to show forth. The use here is an old one and appears also in Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; Philemon 1:18. As though (ως hōs). The alleged reason, a common Greek idiom with ως hōs and the participle (Robertson, Grammar, p. 966). Here with μελλοντων mellontōn From the foreship Old word for prow of the ship. In the N.T. only here and Acts 27:41. Note here εκτεινειν ekteinein (lay out, stretch out) rather than ριπσαντες rhipsantes (casting) in Acts 27:29, for they pretended to need the small boat to stretch out or lay out the anchors in front. [source]
Acts 27:30Under colour [προπασει] Possibly the same word as “prophecy” (from προπημι prȯphēmi to speak forth), but here pretence, pretext, although it may come from προπαινω prophainō to show forth. The use here is an old one and appears also in Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; Philemon 1:18. As though (ως hōs). The alleged reason, a common Greek idiom with ως hōs and the participle (Robertson, Grammar, p. 966). Here with μελλοντων mellontōn From the foreship Old word for prow of the ship. In the N.T. only here and Acts 27:41. Note here εκτεινειν ekteinein (lay out, stretch out) rather than ριπσαντες rhipsantes (casting) in Acts 27:29, for they pretended to need the small boat to stretch out or lay out the anchors in front. [source]
Romans 5:13Is not imputed [οὐκ ἐλλογεῖται] Put to account so as to bring penalty. From λόγος anaccount or reckoning. Only here and Philemon 1:18. [source]
Romans 3:3For what if? [τι γαρ ει] But Westcott and Hort print it, Τι γαρ ει Timothy gaṙ ei See note on Philemon 1:18 for this exclamatory use of τι γαρ ti gar (for how? How stands the case?). [source]
Galatians 1:6Unto a different gospel [εις ετερον ευαγγελιον] See note on 2 Corinthians 11:4 for distinction between allo and heteron as here. It is not here or there a mere difference in emphasis or spirit as in Philemon 1:18 so long as Christ is preached. These men as in 2 Corinthians 11:4 preach “another Jesus” and a “different gospel” and so have fallen away from grace and have done away with Christ (Galatians 5:4). Hence the vehemence of Paul‘s words. [source]
Colossians 3:25He that doeth wrong [ὁ ἀδικῶν] Compare Philemon 1:18. The reference is primarily to the slave; but the following clause extends it to the master. If the slave do wrong, he shall be punished; but the master who does wrong will not be excused, for there is no respect of persons. Tychicus, who carried this letter to Colossae, carried at the same time the letter to Philemon, and escorted Onesimns to his master. [source]
Colossians 2:14The bond written in ordinances that was against us [το κατ ημων χειρογραπον τοις δογμασιν] The late compound χειρογραπον cheirographon See Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 247. The signature made a legal debt or bond as Paul says in Philemon 1:18.: “I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it.” Many of the papyri examples have been “crossed out” thus X as we do today and so cancelled. One decree is described as “neither washed out nor written over” (Milligan, N. T. Documents, p. 16). Undoubtedly “the handwriting in decrees” So Paul says “against us” And he hath taken it out of the way (αιρων kai ērken ek tou mesou). Perfect active indicative of ηρκεν airō old and common verb, to lift up, to bear, to take away. The word used by the Baptist of Jesus as “the Lamb of God that bears away (εκ του μεσου airōn) the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The perfect tense emphasizes the permanence of the removal of the bond which has been paid and cancelled and cannot be presented again. Lightfoot argues for Christ as the subject of προσηλωσας αυτο τωι σταυρωι ērken but that is not necessary, though Paul does use sudden anacolutha. God has taken the bond against us “out of the midst” (προσηλοω ek tou mesou). Nailing it to the cross (σταυρωι prosēlōsas auto tōi staurōi). First aorist active participle of old and common verb σταυρωι prosēloō to fasten with nails to a thing (with dative staurōi). Here alone in N.T., but in 3 Maccabees 4:9 with the very word staurōi The victim was nailed to the cross as was Christ. “When Christ was crucified, God nailed the Law to His cross” (Peake). Hence the “bond” is cancelled for us. Business men today sometimes file cancelled accounts. No evidence exists that Paul alluded to such a custom here. [source]
Philemon 1:19That I say not [ινα μη λεγω] Neat idiom as in 2 Corinthians 9:4, delicately reminding Philemon that Paul had led him also to Christ. Thou owest to me even thine own self besides (και σεαυτον μοι προσοπειλεις kai seauton moi prosopheileis). Old verb, only here in N.T., Paul using the verb οπειλω opheilō of Philemon 1:18 with προς pros added. He used every available argument to bring Philemon to see the higher ground of brotherhood in Christ about Onesimus. [source]
Philemon 1:19Thou owest to me even thine own self besides [και σεαυτον μοι προσοπειλεις] Old verb, only here in N.T., Paul using the verb οπειλω opheilō of Philemon 1:18 with προς pros added. He used every available argument to bring Philemon to see the higher ground of brotherhood in Christ about Onesimus. [source]
Philemon 1:19With mine hand [τηι εμηι χειρι] Instrumental case and a note of hand that can be collected. See note on 2 Thessalonians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18. I will repay it (εγω αποτισω egō apotisō). Future active indicative of αποτινω apotinō (αποτιω apotiō) to pay back, to pay off. The more usual word was αποδωσω apodōsō This is Paul‘s promissory note. Deissmann (Light, etc., p. 331) notes how many of the papyri are concerning debts. That I say not Neat idiom as in 2 Corinthians 9:4, delicately reminding Philemon that Paul had led him also to Christ. Thou owest to me even thine own self besides (και σεαυτον μοι προσοπειλεις kai seauton moi prosopheileis). Old verb, only here in N.T., Paul using the verb οπειλω opheilō of Philemon 1:18 with προς pros added. He used every available argument to bring Philemon to see the higher ground of brotherhood in Christ about Onesimus. [source]
Greek Commentary for Philemon 1:18
Condition of the first class, assumed to be true. Onesimus did wrong He had probably robbed Philemon before he ran away. [source]
Delicate way of putting the stealing. Put that to mine account (τουτο εμοι ελλογα touto emoi ellogā). Present active imperative of ελλογαω ellogaō In the Koiné{[28928]}š verbs in εω ̇eō often appear in αω ̇aō like ελεεω ελεαω eleeōελλογεω eleaō So with ελλογαω ellogeō as ellogaō late verb in inscriptions and papyri (Deissmann, Light, etc., p. 84), though in N.T. only here and Romans 5:13. It means to set to one‘s account. [source]
Present active imperative of ελλογαω ellogaō In the Koiné{[28928]}š verbs in εω ̇eō often appear in αω ̇aō like ελεεω ελεαω eleeōελλογεω eleaō So with ελλογαω ellogeō as ellogaō late verb in inscriptions and papyri (Deissmann, Light, etc., p. 84), though in N.T. only here and Romans 5:13. It means to set to one‘s account. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Philemon 1:18
The οτι hoti clause is really in the ablative case after πλην plēn here a preposition as in Philemon 1:18, this idiom πλην οτι plēn hoti occasionally in ancient Greek. [source]
Genitive absolute again with present active participle of ζητεω zēteō to seek. Had lowered (χαλασαντων chalasantōn). Aorist active participle of χαλαζω chalazō Under colour Possibly the same word as “prophecy” (from προπημι prȯphēmi to speak forth), but here pretence, pretext, although it may come from προπαινω prophainō to show forth. The use here is an old one and appears also in Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; Philemon 1:18. As though (ως hōs). The alleged reason, a common Greek idiom with ως hōs and the participle (Robertson, Grammar, p. 966). Here with μελλοντων mellontōn From the foreship Old word for prow of the ship. In the N.T. only here and Acts 27:41. Note here εκτεινειν ekteinein (lay out, stretch out) rather than ριπσαντες rhipsantes (casting) in Acts 27:29, for they pretended to need the small boat to stretch out or lay out the anchors in front. [source]
Possibly the same word as “prophecy” (from προπημι prȯphēmi to speak forth), but here pretence, pretext, although it may come from προπαινω prophainō to show forth. The use here is an old one and appears also in Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; Philemon 1:18. As though (ως hōs). The alleged reason, a common Greek idiom with ως hōs and the participle (Robertson, Grammar, p. 966). Here with μελλοντων mellontōn From the foreship Old word for prow of the ship. In the N.T. only here and Acts 27:41. Note here εκτεινειν ekteinein (lay out, stretch out) rather than ριπσαντες rhipsantes (casting) in Acts 27:29, for they pretended to need the small boat to stretch out or lay out the anchors in front. [source]
Put to account so as to bring penalty. From λόγος anaccount or reckoning. Only here and Philemon 1:18. [source]
But Westcott and Hort print it, Τι γαρ ει Timothy gaṙ ei See note on Philemon 1:18 for this exclamatory use of τι γαρ ti gar (for how? How stands the case?). [source]
See note on 2 Corinthians 11:4 for distinction between allo and heteron as here. It is not here or there a mere difference in emphasis or spirit as in Philemon 1:18 so long as Christ is preached. These men as in 2 Corinthians 11:4 preach “another Jesus” and a “different gospel” and so have fallen away from grace and have done away with Christ (Galatians 5:4). Hence the vehemence of Paul‘s words. [source]
Compare Philemon 1:18. The reference is primarily to the slave; but the following clause extends it to the master. If the slave do wrong, he shall be punished; but the master who does wrong will not be excused, for there is no respect of persons. Tychicus, who carried this letter to Colossae, carried at the same time the letter to Philemon, and escorted Onesimns to his master. [source]
The late compound χειρογραπον cheirographon See Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 247. The signature made a legal debt or bond as Paul says in Philemon 1:18.: “I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it.” Many of the papyri examples have been “crossed out” thus X as we do today and so cancelled. One decree is described as “neither washed out nor written over” (Milligan, N. T. Documents, p. 16). Undoubtedly “the handwriting in decrees” So Paul says “against us” And he hath taken it out of the way (αιρων kai ērken ek tou mesou). Perfect active indicative of ηρκεν airō old and common verb, to lift up, to bear, to take away. The word used by the Baptist of Jesus as “the Lamb of God that bears away (εκ του μεσου airōn) the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The perfect tense emphasizes the permanence of the removal of the bond which has been paid and cancelled and cannot be presented again. Lightfoot argues for Christ as the subject of προσηλωσας αυτο τωι σταυρωι ērken but that is not necessary, though Paul does use sudden anacolutha. God has taken the bond against us “out of the midst” (προσηλοω ek tou mesou). Nailing it to the cross (σταυρωι prosēlōsas auto tōi staurōi). First aorist active participle of old and common verb σταυρωι prosēloō to fasten with nails to a thing (with dative staurōi). Here alone in N.T., but in 3 Maccabees 4:9 with the very word staurōi The victim was nailed to the cross as was Christ. “When Christ was crucified, God nailed the Law to His cross” (Peake). Hence the “bond” is cancelled for us. Business men today sometimes file cancelled accounts. No evidence exists that Paul alluded to such a custom here. [source]
Neat idiom as in 2 Corinthians 9:4, delicately reminding Philemon that Paul had led him also to Christ. Thou owest to me even thine own self besides (και σεαυτον μοι προσοπειλεις kai seauton moi prosopheileis). Old verb, only here in N.T., Paul using the verb οπειλω opheilō of Philemon 1:18 with προς pros added. He used every available argument to bring Philemon to see the higher ground of brotherhood in Christ about Onesimus. [source]
Old verb, only here in N.T., Paul using the verb οπειλω opheilō of Philemon 1:18 with προς pros added. He used every available argument to bring Philemon to see the higher ground of brotherhood in Christ about Onesimus. [source]
Instrumental case and a note of hand that can be collected. See note on 2 Thessalonians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18. I will repay it (εγω αποτισω egō apotisō). Future active indicative of αποτινω apotinō (αποτιω apotiō) to pay back, to pay off. The more usual word was αποδωσω apodōsō This is Paul‘s promissory note. Deissmann (Light, etc., p. 331) notes how many of the papyri are concerning debts. That I say not Neat idiom as in 2 Corinthians 9:4, delicately reminding Philemon that Paul had led him also to Christ. Thou owest to me even thine own self besides (και σεαυτον μοι προσοπειλεις kai seauton moi prosopheileis). Old verb, only here in N.T., Paul using the verb οπειλω opheilō of Philemon 1:18 with προς pros added. He used every available argument to bring Philemon to see the higher ground of brotherhood in Christ about Onesimus. [source]
Common after ουκ αλλο ouk allo as a preposition with the ablative (Mark 12:32), but here a conjunction as in Philemon 1:18. [source]