Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back for ever,

Τάχα γὰρ διὰ τοῦτο ἐχωρίσθη πρὸς ὥραν, ἵνα αἰώνιον αὐτὸν ἀπέχῃς,

Early Fathers

John Chrysostom (349-407)

Homilies on Philemon

Ver. 15, 16. For perhaps he was therefore parted from you for a season that you should have him for ever; no longer as a bond-servant.

He has well said, perhaps, that the master may yield. For since the flight arose from perverseness, and a corrupt mind, and not from such intention, he has said, perhaps. And he has not said, therefore he fled, but, therefore he was separated, by a more fair sounding expression softening him the more. And he has not said, He separated himself, but, he was separated. For it was not his own arrangement that he should depart either for this purpose or for that. Which also Joseph says, in making excuse for his brethren, For God did send me hither Genesis 45:5, that is, He made use of their wickedness for a good end. Therefore, he says, he was parted for a season. Thus he contracts the time, acknowledges the offense, and turns it all to a providence. That you should receive him, he says, for ever, not for the present season only, but even for the future, that you might always have him, no longer a slave, but more honorable than a slave. For you will have a slave abiding with you, more well-disposed than a brother, so that you have gained both in time, and in the quality of your slave. For hereafter he will not run away. That you should receive him, he says, for ever, that is, have him again.

[For moral, see Phm 1:16]

Later Commentaries

George Leo Haydock (1774-1849)

Haydock Catholic Bible Commentary: Philemon

Do thou receive him as my own bowels. That is, as myself. Perhaps by the permission of God's providence (who never permits evil, but for some greater good) he departed from thee for a little while, that thou mightest receive him for ever, being now after his conversion in a way of being made partaker with thee of the same eternal happiness. Wi.