Philemon 1:15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him for ever; There may probably be here an allusion to that which is written in the Hebrew law about the slavery of "the children of the strangers that sojourned among the Israelites" (Leviticus 25:46). Onesimus was to be his master's property — his to have and hold, to enjoy as his possession — "forever," as the old law said of the slave in permanent servitude. But in how much a deeper and truer sense! To be with him not only for time, but in eternity, in the eternal communion of saints. The time of the absence of Onesimus, during which he was "parted" from Philemon, might have entailed some little discomfort upon his master. What of that? Why count up the weeks and months? They were but as the slave's "little hour" of holiday compared with the gain of a brother "forever." (Bp. Wm. Alexander.) Parallel Verses KJV: For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;WEB: For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, |
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