Philemon 1:15 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philemon 1:8-25

We have here, I. The main business of the epistle, which was to plead with Phlm. on behalf of Onesimus, that he would receive him and be reconciled to him. Many arguments Paul urges for this purpose, Phlm. 1:8-21. The 1st Argument is taken from what was before noted, and is carried in the illative wherefore: ?Seeing so much good is reported of thee and found in thee, especially thy love to all saints, now let me see it on a fresh and further occasion; refresh the bowels of Onesimus and mine... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philemon 1:8-17

1:8-17 I could well be bold in Christ to give you orders as to where your duty lies, but for love's sake I would rather put it in the form of a request, I, Paul, such as I am, an old man now, a prisoner of Christ. My request to you is for my child, whom I begat in my bonds--I mean Onesimus, who was once useless to you, but who is now useful to you and to me. I am sending him back to you, and that is the same as to send you a bit of my own heart. I could have wished to keep him beside myself,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 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 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 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 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,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:15

Verse 15 15For 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:12-16

The motives that prompted the apostle to send back Onesimus to his master. I. HE DID SEND HIM BACK . "Whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart." 1. Onesimus did not return of his own accord . He might, perhaps, have had some not unnatural misgivings as to the character of the reception he would meet with as a returned slave who had acted a dishonest part, and might have been ashamed besides to appear again in a community where his misdeeds... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:15

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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:15

Treasures in heaven. I. CHRISTIANS HAVE THE PROMISE , NOT ONLY OF THE LIFE THAT NOW IS , BUT OF THAT WHICH IS TO COME . ( 1 Timothy 4:8 .) Philemon had had before a legal property in Onesimus, which was, however, temporary, because it necessarily ended at latest with the life of either man. But in gaining the tie of Christian fellowship with him, he obtained an interest in him which would endure permanently; and so Philemon had, in a sense,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:15

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. What appeared to Philemon,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philemon 1:15-16

Philemon 1:15-16. For perhaps he therefore departed Δια τουτο εχωρισθη , for this reason he was separated; a soft expression, to denote Onesimus’s running away from his master; for it contains an insinuation that this had happened providentially; for a season Προς ωραν , for an hour, a little while; that thou shouldest receive him Ινα αιωνιον αυτον απεχης , mightest have or possess him; for ever That is, as Dr. Doddridge paraphrases the clause, “That he might not only be dear... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philemon 1:8-25

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philemon 1:8-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:12-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:15

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philemon 1:15-16

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