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

13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

Philemon 1:15 word by word

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

• 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 therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
• Genesis 50:20But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
• Psalms 76:10Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
• Isaiah 20:6And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?
• Acts 4:28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to 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