Philemon 1:15
New International Version
Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—

New Living Translation
It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever.

English Standard Version
For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,

Berean Standard Bible
For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good—

Berean Literal Bible
For perhaps because of this he was separated from you for a time, so that you might possess him eternally,

King James Bible
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

New King James Version
For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,

New American Standard Bible
For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,

NASB 1995
For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,

NASB 1977
For perhaps he was for this reason parted from you for a while, that you should have him back forever,

Legacy Standard Bible
For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,

Amplified Bible
Perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, so that you would have him back forever,

Christian Standard Bible
For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently,

American Standard Version
For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But perhaps also for this cause he departed for a time, so that you may have him for eternity,

Contemporary English Version
Perhaps Onesimus was taken from you for a little while so you could have him back for good,

Douay-Rheims Bible
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee, that thou mightest receive him again for ever:

English Revised Version
For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Maybe Onesimus was gone for a while so that you could have him back forever-

Good News Translation
It may be that Onesimus was away from you for a short time so that you might have him back for all time.

International Standard Version
Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you could have him back forever,

Literal Standard Version
for perhaps because of this he departed for an hour, that you may have him continuously,

Majority Standard Bible
For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good—

New American Bible
Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,

NET Bible
For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally,

New Revised Standard Version
Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever,

New Heart English Bible
For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever,

Webster's Bible Translation
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldst receive him for ever;

Weymouth New Testament
For perhaps it was for this reason he was parted from you for a time, that you might receive him back wholly and for ever yours;

World English Bible
For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while that you would have him forever,

Young's Literal Translation
for perhaps because of this he did depart for an hour, that age-duringly thou mayest have him,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Appeal for Onesimus
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. 15For 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.…

Cross References
Genesis 45:5
And 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 45:8
Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh--lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.


Treasury of Scripture

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him for ever;

Genesis 45:5-8
Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life…

Genesis 50:20
But 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.

Psalm 76:10
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

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Depart Departed Forever Fully Good Hour Little Mayest Mightest Parted Perhaps Possess Possible Reason Receive Season Separated Shouldest Shouldst Time Wholly
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Depart Departed Forever Fully Good Hour Little Mayest Mightest Parted Perhaps Possess Possible Reason Receive Season Separated Shouldest Shouldst Time Wholly
Philemon 1
1. Paul rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon,
8. whom he desires to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again.














(15) For perhaps he therefore departed (or, was parted).--This is a further reason for sending Onesimus back. St. Paul now touches on Onesimus' "being parted" from Philemon, using a phrase not only (as has been noted) euphemistic, but also one which suggested that his running away was, however unconsciously, overruled by a higher hand. God, in His wisdom, "parted" him from Philemon "for a season, that he might receive him for ever." The phrase "for ever" is the word always used for "eternal." The contrast with "for a season" might be satisfied here by the merely relative sense of "perpetual" or "life-long service;" but, considering that the phrase is used in direct reference to the brotherhood of the Communion of Saints, it is better to take it in its absolute sense, of fellowship in the life eternal.

Verse 15. - Therefore; for this purpose (final cause). Departed for a season. He was therefore parted from thee for a time (Revised Version). Forever; everlastingly (accusative, not an adverb). The relation of master and slave would have been in any case, and would still be, terminated by death. But it was now replaced by a new relation of Christian brotherhood, which would be permanent - a great advantage. So Calvin, Grotius, and many others. Meyer's objection does not seem of much weight (compare the Perpetua mancipia of Exodus 21:6; Deuteronomy 15:17). Baur thinks that in this verse he has reached the core of the Epistle - the ethical truth which it seeks to embody (but see Introduction: "Authenticity and Characteristics").

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

perhaps
τάχα (tacha)
Adverb
Strong's 5029: Quickly, presently, perhaps. As if neuter plural of tachus; shortly, i.e. possibly.

this is why
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

he was separated [from you]
ἐχωρίσθη (echōristhē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5563: From chora; to place room between, i.e. Part; reflexively, to go away.

for
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

a while,
ὥραν (hōran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5610: Apparently a primary word; an 'hour'.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

you might have him back
ἀπέχῃς (apechēs)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 568: To have in full, be far, it is enough. From apo and echo; to have out, i.e. Receive in full; to keep away, i.e. Be distant.

for good—
αἰώνιον (aiōnion)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 166: From aion; perpetual.


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NT Letters: Philemon 1:15 For perhaps he was therefore separated (Phm Phl)
Philemon 1:14
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