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. Then he could have served me in your place while I am in prison for spreading the Good News. 14Yet, I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I want you to do this favor for me out of your own free will without feeling forced to do it. Maybe Onesimus was gone for a while so that you could have him back forever— 16no longer as a slave but better than a slave—as a dear brother. He is especially dear to me, but even more so to you, both as a person and as a Christian. 17If you think of me as your partner, welcome him as you would welcome 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 45:5Now, don’t be sad or angry with yourselves that you sold me. God sent me ahead of you to save lives.
• Genesis 50:20Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it. This was to keep many people alive, as he is doing now.
• Psalms 76:10Even angry mortals will praise you. You will wear the remainder of ⌞their⌟ anger.
• Isaiah 20:6When that day comes, those who live on this coastland will say, ‘Look at what has happened to our hope. We ran ⌞to Egypt⌟ for help to be rescued from the king of Assyria. How can we escape?’ ”
• Acts 4:28Through your will and power, they did everything that you had already decided should be done.

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