Filemón 1:15

15 Porque quizá por esto se apartó de ti por algún tiempo, para que lo volvieras a recibir para siempre,

Filemón 1:15 Meaning and 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 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 ( Exodus 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.

Filemón 1:15 In-Context

13 a quien hubiera querido retener conmigo, para que me sirviera en lugar tuyo en mis prisiones por el evangelio;

14 pero no quise hacer nada sin tu consentimiento, para que tu bondad no fuera como por obligación, sino por tu propia voluntad.

15 Porque quizá por esto se apartó de ti por algún tiempo, para que lo volvieras a recibir para siempre,

16 no ya como esclavo, sino como más que un esclavo, como un hermano amado, especialmente para mí, pero cuánto más para ti, tanto en la carne como en el Señor.

17 Si me tienes pues por compañero, acéptalo como me aceptarías a mí.