Philemon 1:15

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

Philemon 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.

Philemon 1:15 In-Context

13 I wanted in the worst way to keep him here as your stand-in to help out while I'm in jail for the Message.

14 But I didn't want to do anything behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn't willingly agreed to.

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

16 and no mere slave this time, but a true Christian brother! That's what he was to me - he'll be even more than that to you.

17 So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me.