Onesimus Needed Someone To Intercede On His Behalf Roman law allowed for a freeman to intercede on behalf of a slave. While a fugitive in Rome, Onesimus met Paul and was converted by him (Phile. 10). It is possible that Paul had also converted Philemon (Phile. 19). Since Paul knew Philemon, he could intercede on […]
Onesimus Was At One Time Unprofitable V. 11 – “Which in time past was to thee unprofitable but now is profitable to you and me. ” This verse contains a word play that is lost in English. The name “Onesimus” means “useful.” Therefore, in word play, Paul tells Philemon that Onesimus (“useful”) had become useless […]
Introductory Remarks The Apostle Paul has gone all the way to this part of the letter before he writes about the runaway slave, Onesimus (v. 10). One can imagine what Philemon and family and the church that met in his house thought when they heard that word. What kind of emotions would be going through […]