Person · Bible dictionary
Onesimus
The runaway slave of Philemon who came to faith through Paul in prison — whose name means "useful," and whom Paul commended back to his master as a beloved brother.
Onesimus had run from Philemon and somehow ended up with Paul in prison. There he heard the gospel and believed.
Paul plays gently on his name in the letter: once "useless," now "useful" — both to Paul and Philemon.
Early tradition holds that Onesimus later became a bishop of Ephesus.
Original BibleDawn entry. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.