Philemon 1:18

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. [Note: G. B. Caird, Paul’s Letters from Prison, pp. 222-23; Lightfoot, p. 341.] Or he may simply have run away and so caused his master inconvenience. [Note: F. F. Bruce, Paul. Apostle of the Heart Set Free, p. 400; Ralph P. Martin, Colossians and Philemon, p. 167; Lohse, p. 204.] "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). [Note: See Robert G. Gromacki, Stand Perfect in Wisdom: An Exposition of Colossians and Philemon, pp. 200-201.]