If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.
It would be easy to pass over this wrong and just say, let by gones be by gones. But it is Paul's desire to make right what has went wrong so long ago. Where Onesimus has left Philemon and now has a completely different life. For good even, for the cause of Christ. But Paul goes back to Philemon and tells him what is up. And how that Paul wants to make it right with Philemon to have Onesimus restored to him.
But Paul could have had Onesimus go back himself and ask for forgiveness, but Paul goes a step further and pleads for him and even charges whatever needs to be rectified to his own account. It's not Paul's responsibility, but he takes it on. Out of love for Onesimus, out of care for him. He takes on his burdens.
Father, you could have just left us out to dry. To go and figure it out. But no, you come alongside and act on our behalf to make sure we find our way back to redemption. Father, thank you for that. Amen.
