1. Philemon 1:18 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

To what wrong is Paul referring?

Philemon 1:18 (ESV)

18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.

We do not know if or how Onesimus may have wronged Philemon.1 Most commentators understand that there was a debt due to him having absconded from his duties and possibly also taken some silver. Whatever it may be, Paul recognizes that restitution must be made and he pledges himself as a guarantor for the repayment of any debt.2