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 wanted to keep him here with me, to help me on your behalf. I am in prison here because I taught people the good news about Jesus. 14But I did not want to do anything unless you agreed. I wanted you to help me because you really want to help. I did not want to make you do it. When Onesimus ran away from you, perhaps God let that happen. Onesimus left you for a short time so that you could now have him back for ever. 16You can have him back again not only as your slave. He will be something much better than a slave for you. He will be like a brother that you love. I love him very much. But now you will love him even more. He will serve you as a slave, but he will also serve the Lord, as you do. 17I am your friend. Together we serve God. If you agree with that, please be kind to Onesimus. Accept him in the same way that you would accept me.

Philemon 1:15 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• perhapsτάχαtacha · perhapsG5029
• heχωρίζωchōrizō · to separate/leaveG5563
• thereforeδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• thereforeοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• forπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• a seasonὥραhōra · hourG5610
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• thou shouldest receiveἀπέχωapechō · to have in fullG568
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• for everαἰώνιοςaiōnios · eternalG166

Cross-references for Philemon 1:15

• Genesis 45:5But do not be upset. Do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me like that. No! It was God who sent me here! He sent me here before you came. He did that so that I could save people's lives.
• Genesis 50:20You decided to hurt me. But God caused a good thing to happen because of that. God brought me here to save the lives of many people. You can see how that has really happened!
• Psalms 76:10Everybody will praise you, even those who are angry against you. You will show them how angry you really are.
• Isaiah 20:6At that time, the people who live on this coast will say, “Look! This has happened to the people that we trusted to help us. We thought that they would rescue us from the king of Assyria. Now we will never escape from his power.” ’
• Acts 4:28But you are powerful. These men did only what you said would happen. You had already decided on these events.

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