Onesimus was a slave who ran away from his master Philemon and met the apostle Paul in prison. Paul led Onesimus to faith in Christ while in prison. Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon with a letter pleading for grace and forgiveness. The story of Onesimus is recorded in Paul’s letter to Philemon in the New Testament.
Onesimus’s Background
The name Onesimus means “useful” or “profitable” in Greek. He was a slave owned by a Christian man named Philemon who lived in Colossae (Philemon 1:10). Slavery was common in the Roman empire at this time. Onesimus may have been born into slavery or sold into it. As Philemon’s property, Onesimus would have been bound to serve his master. But at some point, Onesimus fled from Philemon and ran away (Philemon 1:15-16).
As a fugitive slave, Onesimus’s options were limited. Running away was a capital offense punishable by death if caught. He probably would have had to rely on charity or theft to survive. Desperate, Onesimus made his way to Rome looking for a new life. There he encountered the apostle Paul, who was under house arrest (Philemon 1:9-10).
Onesimus and Paul in Rome
In God’s providence, Onesimus met Paul during his house imprisonment in Rome around AD 60-62. Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem and transported to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. But rather than rot in a dungeon, Paul was allowed to live in his own rented quarters under guard. During this imprisonment, Paul wrote his Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
Onesimus may have sought out Paul because of his reputation and influence. Or he may have been assigned to help care for Paul during his imprisonment. However they met, Paul took the opportunity to share the gospel with Onesimus. By God’s grace, Onesimus trusted in Christ and was converted (Philemon 1:10). Paul discipled this new believer, teaching him the Scriptures. Onesimus became like a son to Paul during this time (Philemon 1:10).
Paul Sends Onesimus Back to Philemon
Though Onesimus was now a Christian, he was still a runaway slave—a criminal offense. Paul knew he had to make things right. As a new believer, Onesimus needed to reconcile with his master Philemon. So Paul sent Onesimus back to Colossae with a letter to Philemon, asking him to forgive Onesimus and welcome him back not just as a slave but as a brother in Christ (Philemon 1:17).
Paul’s letter to Philemon is the shortest of his epistles, only 25 verses long. But it offers profound lessons on forgiveness, reconciliation, and equality in Christ:
– Paul interceded for Onesimus, volunteering to pay any debt or penalty Onesimus owed (Philemon 1:18-19).
– Paul reminded Philemon that he owed his very life and faith to Paul (Philemon 1:19).
– He requested forgiveness for Onesimus, appealing to Philemon as a brother in Christ (Philemon 1:20).
– Paul offered to repay any wrongs done, highlighting the gravity of reconciliation (Philemon 1:18-19).
– He noted how Onesimus had become useful and profitable after meeting Paul (Philemon 1:11).
– Paul tactfully ordered Philemon to welcome Onesimus back, not as a slave but as a brother (Philemon 1:16).
– He asked Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul himself (Philemon 1:17).
In short, Paul leveraged his authority and influence to advocate for Onesimus’s restoration. His letter to Philemon illustrates principles of forgiveness, grace, brotherhood, and equality within the church.
Lessons from Onesimus’s Story
Though just a short 25 verses, the story of Onesimus contains several powerful lessons:
1. **Salvation depends on God’s grace, not social status.** Onesimus was a slave, perhaps a thief, but Christ’s death was sufficient to save him. God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34).
2. **Reconciliation requires sacrifice and courage.** Onesimus had to humble himself and face Philemon. Paul offered to pay any penalty required. True reconciliation requires a willingness to sacrifice.
3. **Forgiveness sets all people on equal ground.** Paul instructed Philemon to welcome Onesimus back not as a slave but as a brother in Christ. Christ’s redemption transcends social divides.
4. **The church should lead the way on social justice.** Paul courageously confronted the justice system of his day and ordered the equitable treatment of Onesimus. The church should propel society forward, not bless the status quo.
5. **Believers’ rights never outweigh their responsibilities.** Onesimus had to make things right with Philemon, even at personal cost. The gospel requires a willingness to surrender rights for what’s right.
The runaway slave Onesimus may seem like a minor character in the New Testament. But his story offers profound insights that challenged the culture of his day—and continue to challenge the church today. Onesimus illustrates the transformative power of God’s grace.
Onesimus’s Place in History
Church tradition suggests Onesimus became a bishop and died a martyr’s death. Ignatius of Antioch wrote a letter to a Bishop Onesimus in the early 2nd century AD, whom some identify as the runaway slave. The Apostolic Constitutions also name him as Bishop Onesimus of Berea.
According to tradition, Onesimus was imprisoned and beaten to death for his faith during the reign of Roman emperor Trajan or Hadrian. The Martyrologium Hieronymianum remembers a martyr Onesimus on February 15th.
While these later traditions cannot be verified, they align with the portrait of Onesimus’s character in Scripture. A slave who violated social norms to embrace reconciliation. An escaped convict who courageously returned to face death. A former criminal who became a leader in the early church. Onesimus illustrates the freedom and new life possible in Christ.
Key Passages about Onesimus
Here are the key passages in Scripture that mention Onesimus by name and provide details about his background, relationship with Paul, and interactions with Philemon:
Philemon 1:10-11
“I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)”
Philemon 1:15-16
“For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”
Philemon 1:17-19
“So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.”
These verses provide the biographical background on Onesimus as Philemon’s runaway slave who became a Christian under Paul’s ministry in prison. They also capture Paul’s pastoral guidance to both Onesimus and Philemon on forgiveness and reconciliation in Christ.
Onesimus in Brief
To summarize briefly:
– Onesimus was a slave owned by Philemon, a Christian in Colossae.
– He fled from Philemon and met Paul in Rome during his house imprisonment.
– Paul led Onesimus to faith in Christ and discipled him.
– Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon with a letter urging grace and forgiveness, considering Onesimus a brother in Christ.
– Paul’s letter offers principles on forgiveness, grace, equality, and social justice that still challenge the church today.
– Church tradition suggests Onesimus became a bishop and died a martyr’s death.
Though he appears only briefly, Onesimus illustrates the transformative power of the gospel to conquer social divisions and bring new life. His story continues to inspire Christians to follow Paul’s example of courageous advocacy and radical grace.