If he hath wronged thee,— Here is a plain confirmation of the doctrine of restitution. Where any person has injured another, he is obliged by the laws of God and conscience to make reparation as far as he is able, even where the law of the land may not compel him to do so; unless the injured party freely forgive him. We may here again observe how cautiously the apostle proceeds: he would not mention the theft or robbery, till he had prepared the way by saying a number of kind things of Onesimus; and then, when he comes to touch upon it, how soft is his language! He does not call it theft, or robbery, but wronging or injuring him in some respect; or, owing him some money; which last is the language in case of a debt honourably contracted. Observe further, the apostle does not absolutely assert, that Onesimus had done Philemon any injury, or owed him money; but if it was so: and finally we may compare the apostle's circumstances with those of Philemon. The apostle was a prisoner; Philemon at full ease and liberty: the apostle poor; Philemon most probably master of a plentiful estate; who was much more likely to have bestowed something upon the apostle, than to have taken any thing from him. But St. Paul would save something out of the kindness and charity of his friends while he was a prisoner, or work with hisown hands when he was set at liberty, to raise the money, rather than restitution should not be made, if Philemon should insist upon it: or Philemon might reckon it a discharge, in part at least, of the debt which he owed the apostle as his spiritual father under the grace of God.
Related Commentaries of Philemon 1:18
Philemon 1:18
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;