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.
JFB.
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