Who is…
Onesimus
Greek: Ὀνήσιμος —transliteration: Onésimos —meaning: useful
This is the name of a slave who, after robbing his master Philemon at Colosse, fled to Rome, where he was converted by the apostle Paul, who sent him back to his master with the epistle which bears his name.
In it he beseeches Philemon to receive his slave as a “faithful and beloved brother.” Paul offers to pay to Philemon anything his slave had taken, and to bear the wrong he had done him.
Onesimus was accompanied on his return to Philemon by Tychicus, the bearer of the Epistle to the Colossians (Philemon 1:16; 1:18).
The story of this fugitive Colossian slave is a remarkable evidence of the freedom of access to the prisoner which was granted to all, and “a beautiful illustration both of the character of St. Paul and the transfiguring power and righteous principles of the gospel.”
More information
- What is conversion?
- slave
- Freedom
- Robbery
- Who is Philemon?
- Epistle to Philemon
- Who is Paul?
- What is an Apostle?
- Who is Tychicus?
- What is Colosse (Colossae)?
- About ANCIENT ROME in the Bible
Discover the good news that Jesus Christ offers
Why is the world the way it is? If God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving, would He really create a world like this? (filled with oppression, suffering, death and cruelty) Answer- Are you good enough to get to Heaven? Answer
- How good is good enough? Answer
- Will all mankind eventually be saved? Answer