Philemon 1:19

Write (egrapsa). Epistolary aorist. With mine hand (th emh ceiri). Instrumental case and a note of hand that can be collected. See 2 Thessalonians 3:17 ; 1 Corinthians 16:21 ; Colossians 4:18 . I will repay it (egw apotisw). Future active indicative of apotinw (apotiw) to pay back, to pay off. The more usual word was apodwsw. This is Paul's promissory note. Deissmann (Light, etc., p. 331) notes how many of the papyri are concerning debts. That I say not (ina mh legw). 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 (kai seauton moi prosopeilei). Old verb, only here in N.T., Paul using the verb opeilw of verse 2 Corinthians 18 with pro added. He used every available argument to bring Philemon to see the higher ground of brotherhood in Christ about Onesimus.