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"But if he has wronged you..."

Text: Philemon 18

A PARALLEL WORD

We have another classic example of the use of a “first class conditional sentence” in the following text.

“But if he has wronged you or owes anything,
put that on my account.”
Philemon 18

1. A quick review of the typical conditional sentence

a) The first part is characterised by the word “if” (the “protasis”).

b) The second part is the logical consequence.

c) In the first class condition the word “if” is assumed to be factual and true.

2. “But if he has wronged you”

a) Paul was not casting doubts.

b) He was not making an excuse for Onesimus.

c) He was stating a fact… that Onesimus had wronged Philemon.

d) He should not have been a runaway slave!

3. “Or owes anything”

a) Did Onesimus owe Philemon anything?

Yes, he did!

b) Could he have stolen something and then run away?

Possibly!

c) This word was used to describe someone in debt.

4. The second part of the conditional sentence

a) This was very movingly written.

b) Paul assumed accountability for Onesimus’ action.

c) This was the logical second part of the conditional sentence he wrote.

5. “Put that on my account”

a) Another way of translating this phrase “Charge it to me”.

b) This word was used commercially.

c) Goods were bought on cash or credit.

d) Paul was saying that whatever Onesimus owed he would make good.

e) He did not deny that Onesimus had to pay for what he did; Paul promised full repayment!