Paul voluntarily proposed to assume the debt of Onesimus in order that the guilty one might be spared the disgrace of punishment, and might again enjoy the privileges he had forfeited. "If thou count me therefore a partner," he wrote to Philemon, "receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee,or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it."

Paulus påtog sig frivilligt at betale Onesimus gæld, for at den skyldige måtte blive skånet for vanæren ved at blive straffet og atter få lov at nyde godt af de rettigheder, han havde forskertset. "Så sandt du da regner mig for din medbroder, så tag imod ham, som om det var mig selv!" skriver han til Filemon. "Har han gjort dig nogen uret, eller skylder han dig noget, så skriv det på min regning. Jeg, Paulus, forpligter mig herved med egen underskrift til at betale."