Philemon 1:15

NETBible

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, 1 

NIV ©

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good—

NASB ©

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

NLT ©

Perhaps you could think of it this way: Onesimus ran away for a little while so you could have him back forever.

MSG ©

Maybe it's all for the best that you lost him for a while. You're getting him back now for good--

BBE ©

For it is possible that for this reason he was parted from you for a time, so that you might have him for ever;

NRSV ©

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

NKJV ©

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

KJV
For
<1063> <1223>
perhaps
<5029>
he
<5563> (0)
therefore
<5124>
departed
<5563> (5681)
for
<4314>
a season
<5610>_,
that
<2443>
thou shouldest receive
<568> (5719)
him
<846>
for ever
<166>_;
NASB ©
For perhaps
<5029>
he was for this
<3778>
reason
<1223>
separated
<5563>

from you
for a while
<5610>
, that you would have
<568>
him back
<568>
forever
<166>
,
NET [draft] ITL
For
<1063>
perhaps
<5029>
it was for
<1223>
this reason
<5124>
that he was separated
<5563>
from you for
<4314>
a little while
<5610>
, so that
<2443>
you would have
<568>
him
<846>
back
<568>
eternally
<166>
,
GREEK
taca
<5029>
ADV
gar
<1063>
CONJ
dia
<1223>
PREP
touto
<5124>
D-ASN
ecwrisyh
<5563> (5681)
V-API-3S
prov
<4314>
PREP
wran
<5610>
N-ASF
ina
<2443>
CONJ
aiwnion
<166>
A-ASM
auton
<846>
P-ASM
apechv
<568> (5725)
V-PAS-2S
NETBible

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, 1 

NET Notes

1 sn 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 relationship as brothers in Christ would transcend the societal structures of this age. The occasion of Onesimus’ flight to Rome would ultimately be a catalyst in the formation of a new and stronger bond between these two men.