Philemon 1:17-25 (NKJV) If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
Farewell
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
V17 “If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.” Paul does not take the position that he is superior, for he calls Philemon a partner. As a partner instead of a superior, he makes an appeal for Philemon to welcome Onesimus even to the point of “as you would me.” We all would do well to have a humble attitude, too (Philippians 2:5-8).
V18 “But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.” If Philemon wants restitution for what Onesimus stole, then Paul offers to pay for it. Paul has that much confidence in Onesimus’ salvation that he is willing to pay Philemon. The Greek word for “account” is (G1677) ἐλλογέω ellogéō, which means to put it on my bill instead of his. Compare Genesis 43:9, Romans 4:3-6 (logizomai (G3049)), and Genesis 15:6.
V19 “I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.” Paul’s statement and writing in his “own hand” makes it official. Nevertheless, Paul makes an appeal to just accept, overlook, and forgive, the wrong. God values mercy. See Matthew 9:13, Micah 6:8-9, and 1 Timothy 1:13-16.
V20 “Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.” Encouraging Philemon to do what God would wish him to do. Paul would have joy and his heart refreshed, so would Philemon and Onesimus.
V21 “Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.” A testimony of 3 men who have truly been saved. Their changed lives and attitudes show it so. Changed lives: 1) Judah (Genesis 38:13-16 with Genesis 43:8-9 and Genesis 44:14), Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:1-7 with 2 Chronicles 33:10-16), and the Prodigal son (Luke 15:11-13).
V22 “But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.” Paul’s hope and expectation for release. His first goal upon release is to come for a visit with Philemon. It is believed that Paul was released from his first imprisonment shortly after writing this letter. Note that Paul didn’t trust in political connections but in prayers of God’s people.
V23 “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you…” ISBE article on Epaphras: Epaphras was the missionary by whose instrumentality the Colossians had been converted to Christianity (Col 1:7), and probably the other churches of the Lycus had been founded by him.”
V24 “…as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.” Mark is the evangelist of whom much is mentioned in Acts and history. Aristarchus (from ISBE): “ He was one of those faithful companions of the apostle Paul who shared with him his labors and sufferings. He is suddenly mentioned along with Gaius as having been seized by the excited Ephesians during the riot stirred up by the silversmiths (Act 19:29). They are designated “men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel.” We learn later that he was a native of Thessalonica (Act 20:4; Act 27:2).”
Demas (from ISBE): According to Col 4:14; 2Ti 4:10; Phm 1:24, one who was for a time a “fellow-worker” with Paul at Rome (Col, Philem), but at last, “having loved this present world,” forsook the apostle and betook himself to Thessalonica (2 Tim)” Luke is the beloved physical, gospel writer, and companion of Paul.
V25 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” Paul’s usual salutation and blessing.