Philemon 1:15 BSB — MannaFest

Philemon 1:15

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

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

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

KJV

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

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Commentary

4 voices

Jerome

Commentary on Philemon (420)

Sometimes the occasion of evil becomes the occasion of good, and God turns evil human plans to an upright end.… If indeed [Onesimus] had not fled his master, he never would have come to Rome where Paul was in prison in chains. If he had not seen Paul in chains, he would not have received faith in Christ. If he had not had faith in Christ, he never would have become Paul's son, so that he might be sent for the work of the gospel.… Paul says "perhaps" cautiously, hesitantly, with trepidation and not with certainty.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

(2.) How tenderly still the sins of penitents are spoken of; he calls it a departure for a season, instead of giving it the term that it deserved. As overruled and ordered by God, it was a departure; but in itself, and in respect of the disposition and manner of the act, it was a criminal going away.

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season - Perhaps on this account, or for this reason - διὰ τοῦτο dia touto - he left you for a little time. Greek, “for an hour” - πρὸς ὥραν pros hōran. The 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.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

11 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
τάχα	tacha	Perhaps	G5029 →
γὰρ	gar	for	G1063 →
διὰ	dia	because of	G1223 →
τοῦτο	touto	this	G3778 →
ἐχωρίσθη	echōristhē	he was separated [from you]	G5563 →
πρὸς	pros	for	G4314 →
ὥραν,	hōran	a time,	G5610 →
ἵνα	ina	so that	G2443 →
αἰώνιον	aiōnion	eternally	G166 →
αὐτὸν	auton	him	G846 →
ἀπέχῃς·	apechēs	you may possess;	G568 →

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Genesis 50:20
As 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.
leads to
- Romans 8:28
  And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- Psalms 119:71
  It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.
- Acts 2:23
  He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- Genesis 45:5–8
  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 37:18–20
  Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him.
Through
Acts 4:28
They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.
leads to
- Isaiah 46:10
  I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
- Genesis 50:20
  As 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.
Through
Psalms 76:10
Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.
leads to
- Romans 9:17
  For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

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On Philemon 1:15

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Wordplay: the Puns of the Prophets

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About Philemon

The Return of the Prodigal Son — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

Philemon: the study guide →Read chapter 1 →The featured study →

Continue: Philemon 1 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About Philemon

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About Philemon