Philemon 1

Philemon · Chapter 1

Philemon 1:15

1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,9Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good—For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul is asking Philemon to welcome back Onesimus, who had left him and had since become a believer through Paul in prison. Here Paul gently suggests a reason behind that departure: Onesimus was away for a short time so that Philemon might have him back for good. The next verse says how: no longer only as a servant, but as a beloved brother. Philemon 1:10Philemon 1:11Philemon 1:12Philemon 1:15Philemon 1:16

SpeakingPaul, who calls himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ, writing with Timothy. Philemon 1:1Philemon 1:9Philemon overview

ToPhilemon, Paul's beloved fellow-worker, along with Apphia, Archippus and the church that met in his house. Philemon 1:1Philemon 1:2Philemon overview

Also involvedOnesimus, Philemon's servant, whom Paul calls "my son" and is sending back. Philemon 1:10Philemon 1:12Philemon overview

Paul offers a hopeful way to see Onesimus's leaving. It may have been for a purpose: a brief separation that ends in a lasting bond. Paul says "perhaps," so he does not claim to know this for certain. Philemon 1:15Philemon 1:16Strong's G5029

Paul wrote from prison; the letter does not name the city, and Rome is the traditional view. It was sent to Philemon's house church, most likely in Colossae, since Colossians calls Onesimus "one of you." Philemon overviewPhilemon 1:2

ASIAGALATIAPHRYGIAAegean SeaColossaeLaodiceaHierapolisEphesusMiletus

The eventsOnesimus had earlier "departed" from Philemon and had been "unprofitable" to him. Since then he had met Paul in prison and become a believer. Now Paul was sending him back. Philemon 1:10Philemon 1:11Philemon 1:12Philemon overview

WrittenTraditional view: about AD 60-62, while Paul was imprisoned in Rome, at the same time as Colossians. Scholarly view: nearly all accept Paul wrote it, but some place the imprisonment at Ephesus (about AD 54-55) or Caesarea (about AD 57-59). Philemon overview

HerePaul wants Philemon to receive Onesimus willingly, not by force. Pointing to a possible good purpose in the separation helps Philemon see the return as a gift rather than a loss. Philemon 1:8Philemon 1:9Philemon 1:14Philemon 1:15Philemon 1:17

In the whole of ScriptureScripture often shows God bringing good out of a painful parting. Joseph told his brothers, "ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good." Paul hints at something similar here, but only with a "perhaps." Genesis 50:20Genesis 45:5Genesis 45:8Philemon 1:15

For readersReaders can look at past breaks in relationships with hope that God may use them for lasting good. They can also follow Paul's humility in not claiming to know God's purpose for sure. Philemon 1:15Philemon 1:16Strong's G5029

  • perhapsτάχα
    Greek · tacha · G5029

    The lexicon glosses it "perhaps" and lists only one other New Testament use, Romans 5:7. Paul offers his reading of events as a possibility, not a certainty. Strong's G5029

  • departedχωρίζω
    Greek · chōrizō · G5563

    The word here is rendered "he was separated [from you]." The lexicon defines it as to separate, and lists this verse under the sense to separate oneself or depart. Strong's G5563

  • for a seasonὥρα
    Greek · hōra · G5610

    The lexicon says the phrase means "for a season, for a time," as also in John 5:35, 2 Corinthians 7:8 and Galatians 2:5. In this verse it is set against "for ever," so the short absence is weighed against the lasting return. Strong's G5610Strong's G0166Philemon 1:15

  • for everαἰώνιος
    Greek · aiōnios · G0166

    The lexicon glosses it "eternal" and lists the sense "that which is without end." Verse 16 shows the lasting bond is that of "a brother beloved" in the Lord. Strong's G0166Philemon 1:16

  • receiveἀπέχει
    Greek · apechei · G0568

    The lexicon defines it as to have in full, and for this verse gives "to have altogether." Philemon would get Onesimus back fully, not partly. Strong's G0568

Takeaway

Paul humbly suggests that a short, painful separation may have had a purpose: lasting brotherhood in Christ. He invites Philemon to look at the loss that way and welcome Onesimus as a brother. Philemon 1:15Philemon 1:16Genesis 50:20

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-23.

The world around the text

Behind this verse

Slaves and masters
Slaves served in households of every size, as laborers, servants, stewards and teachers, and many were later freed. Roman law gave a master almost complete power over a slave. Paul's letters address believing slaves and masters directly. Colossians 3:22-4:1Ephesians 6:5-91 Corinthians 7:21Tacitus, Annals 14.42-45
Asking a friend to plead
Roman lawyers discussed slaves who went to a friend of their master to ask him to plead for them, and held that such a slave was not counted a runaway. Pliny the Younger wrote a letter of this kind, begging a friend to forgive a freedman who had come to him in tears. Justinian, Digest 21.1.17.4 (citing Proculus)Pliny the Younger, Letters 9.21, 9.24

About AD 60-62. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Philemon and the church in his house lived. A small town in the Lycus valley of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia, about 190 km (120 miles) east of Ephesus.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68

    Emperor over Rome, Asia and Judea. Paul, a Roman citizen, had appealed to Caesar, who in these years was Nero. Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:16Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16

  • Governor of the province where Colossae stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul appointed for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. Acts 19:38Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • Governor of Judea and Jewish client kingFestus and Agrippa IIc. AD 59-62; c. AD 50-90s

    Festus and King Agrippa heard Paul's defense in Caesarea and sent him on to Rome as he had asked. Acts 25:12Acts 25:23-26:32

What was happening, AD 58 to AD 64
  1. AD 58-63
    WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia

    Roman armies under Corbulo campaigned in Armenia until the two empires made peace in AD 63. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31

  2. c. AD 59-60
    The churchPaul's voyage to Rome

    Paul sailed for Rome as a prisoner, was shipwrecked on Malta, and reached Rome the following spring. Acts 27:1-28:16

  3. AD 60
    DisasterEarthquake in the Lycus valley

    An earthquake ruined Laodicea, about 16 km (10 miles) from Colossae; Laodicea rebuilt without Rome's help. A later Christian historian says Hierapolis and Colossae fell in the same disaster. Tacitus, Annals 14.27Orosius, History Against the Pagans 7.7.12Colossians 4:13

  4. AD 60-61
    WarBoudica's revolt in Britain

    Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Colchester, London and St Albans before the Romans defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39

  5. c. AD 60-62
    The churchPaul under guard in Rome

    Paul lived two whole years in his own rented house, guarded by a soldier, receiving all who came to him. Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians are traditionally dated to these years. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31Philippians 1:13

  6. AD 61
    RulersA slave-owner's murder shakes Rome

    When the city prefect Pedanius Secundus was killed by one of his slaves, the Senate upheld the old law that all 400 slaves of his household be executed, despite protests from the crowd. Tacitus, Annals 14.42-45

  7. AD 62
    The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed

    Between governors, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" stoned in Jerusalem. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19

  8. AD 64
    The churchFire in Rome, and Nero blames the Christians

    After a great fire burned much of Rome, Nero blamed the Christians and put a "vast multitude" to death. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-44Suetonius, Nero 16.2

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient writers on these years and places (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Strabo, Herodotus, Pliny, Roman law). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
PerhapsτάχαtachaG5029
perhaps

τάχα (tacha) τάχα (ταχύς), adv., [in LXX: Wis.13:6 14:19 * ;] (a) (chiefly poët.), quickly, presently; (b) perhaps: Rom.5:7, Phm 15.† (AS)

forγὰρgarG1063
for

γάρ (gar) γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; 1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. 2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. …

because ofδιὰdiaG1223
through/because of

διά (dia) διά (before a vowel δ᾽, exc. Rom.8:10, 2Co.5:7, and in (Proper name)s; Tdf., Pr., 94), prep. with genitive, accusative, as in cl.; 1. with genitive, through; (i) of Place, after verbs of motion or action: Mat.2:12 12:43, Mrk.2:23, Luk.4:30, Jhn.4:4, 2Co.11:33, al.; σώζεσθαι (διας-) δ. πυρός, ὕδατος, 1Co.3:15, 1Pe.3:20; βλέπειν δ. ἐσόπτρου, 1Co.13:12; metaphorically, of a state or condition: Rom.14:20, 2Co.2:4 5:7, 10; δ. γράμματος, ἀκροβυστίας (Lft., Notes, 263, 279), Rom.2:27 4:11; δι ̓ὑπομενῆς, Rom.8:25. (ii) Of Time; …

thisτοῦτοtoutoG3778
this/he/she/it

οὗτος (ohutos) οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; 1. as subst., this one, he; (a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; (b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; …

he was separated [from you]ἐχωρίσθηechōristhēG5563
to separate/leave

χωρίζω (chōrizō) χωρίζω [in LXX: 2Ch.12:8, al. (בָּדַל ni., etc.), Wis.1:3, 2Ma.5:21, al. ;] 1. to separate, divide, put asunder: with accusative of thing(s), opposite to συζεύγνυμι Mat.19:6, Mrk.10:9; with accusative of person(s), before ἀπό (Wis.1:3), Rom.8:35, 39; pf. pass ptcp., Heb.7:26. 2. In late writers, mid. and 1 aor pass., to separate oneself, depart: Phm 15; before ἀπό Act.1:4, ἐκ, Act.18:1-2; of divorce (polyb., al.), 1Co.7:10-11 7:15 (cf. ἀπο-, δια-χωρίζω).† (AS)

forπρὸςprosG4314
to/with

πρός (pros) πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. 1. Of place, …

a time,ὥραν,hōranG5610
hour

ὥρα (hōra) ὥρα, -ας, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for עֵת and in Da for שָׁעָה ;] 1. any time or period fixed by nature, esp. a season (Hom., Hdt., Plat., al.). 2. A part of the day, and esp. a twelfth part of day or night, an hour: Mat.24:36, Mrk.13:32, Act.10:3, al.; accus. in ans. to "when"? (M, Pr., 63, 215; Bl., §34, 8), Jhn.4:52, Act.10:3, 30 1Co.15:30, Rev.3:3; accusative of duration, Mat.20:12 26, Mrk.14:37; inexactly, πρὸς ὥραν, for a season, for a time, Jhn.5:35, 2Co.7:8, Gal.2:5; πρὸς καιρὸν ὥρας, for a short season (ICC, in l.), 1Th.2:17. …

so thatἵναinaG2443
in order that/to

ἵνα (hina) ἵνα, I. adverb (poët., Hom., al.), 1. of place, where, whither. 2. of circumstance, when. II. Conjunction, 1. prop., final, denoting purpose or end (cl.), that, in order that, usually the first word in the clause, but sometimes (cl. also) preceded by an emphatic word (Act.19:4, Rom.11:31 (?), Gal.2:10, al.); (a) with optative (so in cl. after historic tenses): after a pres., Eph.1:17 (but WH, mg., subjc.; see Burton, §225, Rem., 2); …

eternallyαἰώνιονaiōnionG0166
eternal

αἰώνιος (aiōnios) αἰώνιος, -ον (as usual in Attic), also -α, -ον. 2Th.2:16, Heb.9:12; (αἰών), [in LXX chiefly for עוֹלָם ;] age-long, eternal, (a) of that which is without either beginning or end: Rom.16:26, Heb.9:14; (b) of that which is without beginning: Rom.16:25, 2Ti.1:9, Tit.1:2; (with) of that which is without end (MM, VGT, see word): σκηναί, Luk.16:9 οἰκία, 2Co.5:1; διαθήκη, Heb.13:20; εὐαγγέλιον, Rev.14:6; παράκλησις, 2Th.2:16; λύτρωσις, Heb.9:12; κληρονομία, ib. 15; κόλασις, Mat.25:46; κρίμα, Heb.6:2; κρίσις, Mrk.3:29; ὄλεθρον, 2Th.1:9; πῦρ, Mat.18:8; frequently with ζωή, which see …

himαὐτὸνautonG0846
it/s/he

αὐτός (autos) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

you may possess;ἀπέχῃς·apechēsG0568
to receive/avoid

ἀπέχει (apechei) to receive (in full); to be distant; (middle) to abstain, avoid trans. to have in full what is due or is sought, Mt. 6:2, 5, 16; Lk. 6:24; Phil. 4:18; to have altogether, Phlm. 15; hence, it is enough, Mk. 14:41; intransitive to be distant, Lk. 7:6; to be estranged, Mt. 15:8; Mk. 7:6, middle to abstain from, Acts 14:20

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.