Philemon 1:15

Philemon 1:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
• New International Version (NIV)Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—
• English Standard Version (ESV)For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,
• New King James Version (NKJV)For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,

Context of Philemon 1:15

13I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will. For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— 16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord. 17So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.

Philemon 1:15 word by word

τάχα γὰρ διὰ τοῦτο ἐχωρίσθη πρὸς ὥραν, ἵνα αἰώνιον αὐτὸν ἀπέχῃς·Read the interlinear

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• perhapsτάχαtacha · perhapsG5029
• this is whyδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• this is whyοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• he was separatedχωρίζωchōrizō · to separate/leaveG5563
• forπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• a whileὥραhōra · hourG5610
• so thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• you might have him backἀπέχωapechō · to have in fullG568
• you might have him backαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• for goodαἰώνιοςaiōnios · eternalG166

Cross-references for Philemon 1:15

• Genesis 45:5And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.
• Genesis 50:20As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.
• Psalms 76:10Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.
• Isaiah 20:6And on that day the dwellers of this coastland will say, ‘See what has happened to our source of hope, those to whom we fled for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?’”
• Acts 4:28They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.

Commentaries on Philemon 1:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15He - departed for a season - This is another most delicate stroke. He departed thy slave, thy unfaithful slave; he departed for a short time; but so has the mercy of God operated in his behalf, and the providence of God in thine, that he now returns, not an unfaithful slave, in whom thou couldst repose no confidence, but as a brother, a beloved brother in the Lord, to be in the same heavenly family with thee for ever. Thou hast, therefore, reason to be…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season - Perhaps on this account, or for this reason - ̀ ͂ dia touto- he left you for a little time. Greek, “for an hour” - ̀ ̔́ pros hōranThe meaning is, that it was possible that this was permitted in the Providence of God in order that Onesimus might be brought under the influence of the gospel, and be far more serviceable to Philemon as a Christian, than he could have been in his former relation to him. What…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-22Verses 15-22 When we speak of the nature of any sin or offence against God, the evil of it is not to be lessened; but in a penitent sinner, as God covers it, so must we. Such changed characters often become a blessing to all among whom they reside. Christianity does not do away our duties to others, but directs to the right doing of them. True penitents will be open in owning their faults, as doubtless Onesimus had been to Paul, upon his being awakened…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15He was separated from you (literally he went away): This may be a polite way of saying that Onesimus ran away. Paul might be avoiding a direct mention of what Onesimus did. so that you might have him back for good: Paul implies that God guided these events so that Onesimus would come to faith.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. perhaps--speaking in human fashion, yet as one believing that God's Providence probably (for we cannot dogmatically define the hidden purposes of God in providence) overruled the past evil to ultimately greater good to him. This thought would soften Philemon's indignation at Onesimus' past offense. So Joseph in Ge 45:5. departed--literally, "was parted from thee"; a softening term for "ran away," to mitigate Philemon's wrath. receive him--Greek, "have…Read the comment

Commentaries on Philemon 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings