Phile 15-16 | TNotes | STEP | 1:15 you lost Onesimus (literally he went away ): This might be a euphemism for running away, in order not to mention Onesimus’s offense directly. • so that you could have him back forever: It is implied that God providentially arranged events to lead to Onesimus’s salvation.

‏ Philemon 15-16

1:15 ^a you lost Onesimus (literally he went away): This might be a euphemism for running away, in order not to mention Onesimus’s offense directly.

• so that you could have him back forever: It is implied that God providentially arranged events to lead to Onesimus’s salvation.
1:16 ^b Though Onesimus was still legally Philemon’s slave, Philemon must think of him as a beloved brother and be committed to his well-being.

• both as a man and as a brother in the Lord: Brotherhood in Christ must now transform their whole relationship in both the natural and spiritual realms.