
Text -- Philemon 1:15 (NET)




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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Perhaps (
Old adverb, in N.T. only here and Rom 5:7.

Robertson: Phm 1:15 - -- That thou shouldst have him ( hina auton apechēis ).
Final clause with hina and present active subjunctive of apechō , to have back, "that thou...
That thou shouldst have him (
Final clause with

Robertson: Phm 1:15 - -- For ever ( aiōnion ).
"Eternal,"here and hereafter. Surely a noble thing for Paul to say and a word that would touch the best in Philemon.
For ever (
"Eternal,"here and hereafter. Surely a noble thing for Paul to say and a word that would touch the best in Philemon.
Vincent: Phm 1:15 - -- For perhaps
I sent him back, for , if I had kept him, I might have defeated the purpose for which he was allowed to be separated from you for a ...
For perhaps
I sent him back, for , if I had kept him, I might have defeated the purpose for which he was allowed to be separated from you for a time. " We are not to be too sure of what God means by such and such a thing, as some of us are wont to be, as if we had been sworn of God's privy council.... A humble 'perhaps' often grows into a 'verily, verily' - and a hasty, over-confident 'verily, verily' often dwindles to a hesitating 'perhaps.' Let us not be in too great a hurry to make sure that we have the key of the cabinet where God keeps his purposes, but content ourselves with 'perhaps' when we are interpreting the often questionable ways of His providence, each of which has many meanings and many ends" (Maclaren).

Vincent: Phm 1:15 - -- He therefore departed ( διὰ τοῦτο ἐχωρίσθη )
The A.V. misses the ingenious shading of Paul's expression. Not only does he...
He therefore departed (
The A.V. misses the ingenious shading of Paul's expression. Not only does he avoid the word ran away , which might have irritated Philemon, but he also uses the passive voice, not the middle, separated himself , as an intimation that Onesimus' flight was divinely ordered for good. Hence Rev., correctly, he was parted . Compare Gen 45:5.


Vincent: Phm 1:15 - -- Thou shouldst receive ( ἀπέχῃς )
The compounded preposition ἀπό may mean back again , after the temporary separation, or ...
Thou shouldst receive (
The compounded preposition
Wesley -> Phm 1:15
Both on earth and in heaven.
JFB: Phm 1:15 - -- Speaking in human fashion, yet as one believing that God's Providence probably (for we cannot dogmatically define the hidden purposes of God in provid...
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 Gen 45:5.

JFB: Phm 1:15 - -- Literally, "was parted from thee"; a softening term for "ran away," to mitigate Philemon's wrath.
Literally, "was parted from thee"; a softening term for "ran away," to mitigate Philemon's wrath.

JFB: Phm 1:15 - -- Greek, "have him for thyself in full possession" (see on Phi 4:18). The same Greek as in Mat 6:2.

JFB: Phm 1:15 - -- In this life and in that to come (compare Exo 21:6). Onesimus' time of absence, however long, was but a short "hour" (so Greek) compared with the ever...
In this life and in that to come (compare Exo 21:6). Onesimus' time of absence, however long, was but a short "hour" (so Greek) compared with the everlasting devotion henceforth binding him to his master.
Clarke -> Phm 1:15
Clarke: Phm 1:15 - -- He - 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...
He - 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 thankful to God that he did depart, that he might be restored to thee again infinitely better than he was when be left thee. God has permitted his unfaithfulness, and overruled the whole both to his advantage and thine. The apology for Onesimus is very similar to that made by Joseph for his brethren, Gen 45:5.
Calvin -> Phm 1:15
Calvin: Phm 1:15 - -- 15.For perhaps he was separated. If we are angry on account of offenses committed by men, our minds ought to be soothed, when we perceive that those ...
15.For perhaps he was separated. If we are angry on account of offenses committed by men, our minds ought to be soothed, when we perceive that those things which were done through malice have been turned to a different end by the purpose of God. A joyful result may be regarded as a remedy for evils, which is held out to us by the hand of God for blotting out offenses. Thus Joseph — when he takes into consideration, that the wonderful providence of God brought it about, that, though he was sold as a slave, yet he was elevated to that high rank, from which he could provide food for his brethren and his father — forgets the treachery and cruelty of his brethren, and says, that he was sent before on their account. (Gen 45:5.)
Paul therefore reminds Philemon that he ought not to be so greatly offended at the flight of his slave, for it was the cause of a benefit not to be regretted. So long as Onesimus was at heart a runaway, Philemon, though he had him in his house, did not actually enjoy him as his property; for he was wicked and unfaithful, and could not be of real advantage. He says, therefore, that he was a wanderer for a little time, that, by changing his place, he might be converted and become a new man. And he prudently softens everything, by calling the flight a departure, and adding, that it was only for a time.
That thou mightest receive him for ever. Lastly, he contrasts the perpetuity of the advantage with the short duration of the loss.
TSK -> Phm 1:15

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Phm 1:15
Barnes: Phm 1:15 - -- For perhaps he therefore departed for a season - Perhaps on this account, or for this reason - διὰ τοῦτο dia touto - he left ...
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season - Perhaps on this account, or for this reason -
That thou shouldest receive him for ever - That is, in the higher relation of a Christian friend and brother; that he might be united to thee in eternal affection; that he might not only be with thee in a far more endearing relation during the present life than he was before, but in the bonds of love in a world that shall never end.
Poole -> Phm 1:15
Poole: Phm 1:15 - -- Onesimus in departing designed no such thing, but possibly God, in the wisdom of his providence, suffered him to depart from thee, and to fall into ...
Onesimus in departing designed no such thing, but possibly God, in the wisdom of his providence, suffered him to depart from thee, and to fall into theft, that he might upon that occasion come to a quicker sense and conviction of sin, and see a need of a Saviour; that, being turned from sin unto God, and having embraced Christ our common Saviour, thou mightest receive, love, and embrace him
Haydock -> Phm 1:12-15; Phm 1:15
Haydock: Phm 1:12-15 - -- Do thou receive him as my own bowels. That is, as myself. Perhaps by the permission of God's providence (who never permits evil, but for some grea...
Do thou receive him as my own bowels. That is, as myself. Perhaps by the permission of God's providence (who never permits evil, but for some greater good) he departed from thee for a little while,[6] that thou mightest receive him for ever, being now after his conversion in a way of being made partaker with thee of the same eternal happiness. (Witham)

[BIBLIOGRAPHY]
A little while. Literally, ad horam, Greek: pros oran.
Gill -> Phm 1:15
Gill: Phm 1:15 - -- For perhaps he therefore departed for a season,.... The apostle in this clause seems to soften this business of Onesimus in running away from his mast...
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season,.... The apostle in this clause seems to soften this business of Onesimus in running away from his master; he calls it not a running away, but a departure, an absence from him, and that but for a little while; and suggests that the hand of God might be in it; that there was an overruling providence that attended it, such as was in Joseph's going down into Egypt; and that this separation of Onesimus from his master, for a short time, was in order that they should come together again, and never part more, as follows:
that thou shouldest receive him for ever; or during life, referring to the law in Exo 21:6 or to all eternity, since they were in the same spiritual relation, partakers of the same grace, and had a right to the same heavenly inheritance, and should be together with Christ for evermore.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes -> Phm 1:15
NET Notes: Phm 1:15 So that you would have him back eternally. The notion here is not that Onesimus was to be the slave of Philemon eternally, but that their new relation...
Geneva Bible -> Phm 1:15
Geneva Bible: Phm 1:15 For perhaps he therefore ( f ) departed for ( g ) a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
( f ) He uses a more gentle type of speech, but...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Philemon
TSK Synopsis: Philemon - --1 Paul rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon, whom he desires to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again.
Maclaren -> Philemon
Maclaren: Philemon - --Owing Ourselves To Christ
I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto Me even thine o...
MHCC -> Phm 1:15-22
MHCC: Phm 1:15-22 - --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 mu...
Matthew Henry -> Phm 1:8-25
Matthew Henry: Phm 1:8-25 - -- We have here, I. The main business of the epistle, which was to plead with Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, that he would receive him and be reconcil...
Barclay -> Phm 1:8-17
Barclay: Phm 1:8-17 - --Paul, being Paul, could have demanded what he wished from Philemon, but he will only humbly request. A gift must be given freely and with good-wil...
Constable: Philemon - --C. Paul's request 17
Finally Paul articulated his request. He based it on his relationship with Philemon...

Constable: Philemon - --E. Paul's confidence 21
"Obedience" is a strong word to use to describe acquiescence to a request from a...

Constable: Phm 1:8-21 - --III. PLEA FOR ONESIMUS 8-21
Paul appealed to Philemon to receive Onesimus back and to forgive him. He did this t...

Constable: Phm 1:8--Heb 1:10 - --A. Paul's appeal 8-11
v. 8 Paul's confidence (Gr. parresia) was his assurance that if he commanded Philemon to do as he requested because Paul was an ...
