Philemon 1:15
Good News Translation
It may be that Onesimus was away from you for a short time so that you might have him back for all time.

New Revised Standard Version
Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever,

Contemporary English Version
Perhaps Onesimus was taken from you for a little while so you could have him back for good,

New American Bible
Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,

Douay-Rheims Bible
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee that thou mightest receive him again for ever:

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee that thou mightest receive him again for ever:

Genesis 45:5-8 Be not afraid, and let it not seem to you a hard case that you sold me into these countries: for God sent me before you into Egypt for your preservation. . . .

Genesis 50:20 You thought evil against me: but God turned it into good, that he might exalt me, as at present you see, and might save many people.

Psalm 76:10 For the thought of man shall give praise to thee: and the remainders of the thought shall keep holiday to thee.

Isaiah 20:6 And the inhabitants of this isle shall say in that day: Lo this was our hope, to whom we fled for help, to deliver us from the face of the king of the Assyrians: and how shall we be able to escape?

Acts 4:28 To do what thy hand and thy counsel decreed to be done.

Context
Paul's Appeal for Onesimus
14But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary. 15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee that thou mightest receive him again for ever: 16Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me. But how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?…
Cross References
Genesis 45:5
Be not afraid, and let it not seem to you a hard case that you sold me into these countries: for God sent me before you into Egypt for your preservation.

Genesis 45:8
Not by your counsel was I sent hither, but by the will of God: who hath made me as it were a father to Pharao, and lord of his whole house, and governor in all the land of Egypt.

Philemon 1:14
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