Paul likely had in mind the fact that his missionary work in the region where Philemon lived led to his conversion, a vital spiritual blessing.

Philemon 1:19, KJV: I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it. Philemon 1:19, ESV: I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay itto say nothing of your owing me even your own self. This was probably not financial, since Philemon appears to have been quite wealthy, and Paul was the missionary needing support. Philemon 1:19 Parallel Verses See commentary Philemon 1:19, NIV: I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand.I will pay it back-not to mention that you owe me your very self. In other words, Paul believed he had been involved in a particularly powerful blessing on Philemon's life. In contrast with Paul's commitment to repay debt for Onesimus, he mentions that Philemon is deeply indebted to Paul in the first place. However, Paul often hand-wrote his own personal comments (1 Corinthians 16:21 Galatians 6:11 Colossians 4:18 2 Thessalonians 3:17). In this letter, Timothy may have been Paul's assistant (Philemon 1:1), as was also likely the case in 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians. This is the same idea as a modern stenographer, or transcriber. Paul often used others to physically write down the words of his letters, a common practice in the first century. It is clear Paul was personally marking these words on paper, adding to the authenticity of his promise. This verse extends Paul's focus on Onesimus' freedom which began in verse 8, and shifted to a personal emphasis in verse 17.

What is another word for you owe me