Philemon Chapter 1 verse 15 Holy Bible
For perhaps he was therefore parted `from thee' for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;
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For it is possible that for this reason he was parted from you for a time, so that you might have him for ever;
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for perhaps for this reason he has been separated [from thee] for a time, that thou mightest possess him fully for ever;
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For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
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read chapter 1 in WBT
For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever,
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for perhaps because of this he did depart for an hour, that age-duringly thou mayest have him,
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Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 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").
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(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.
