Onesimus

Family: Christian · Role: faithful and beloved brother · First appears: Colossians 4

In Colossians 4, Onesimus was with Tychicus to report everything happening there, and Paul described him as “a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.”

In Philemon 1, Paul spiritually fathered Onesimus while imprisoned, calling him his son, then sent him back to Philemon for reception as “mine own bowels.” Onesimus’s status was changed from servant to beloved brother, and Paul assumed responsibility for any debt he owed Philemon, asking that it be put on his account.

Relationship record

Life events

• Tychicus and Onesimus were to report everything happening there.(Colossians 4)
  • With: Tychicus
  • “They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.”
• Paul spiritually fathers Onesimus while imprisoned.(Philemon 1)
  • With: Paul
  • “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:”
• Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon for reception.(Philemon 1)
  • With: Paul Philemon
  • “Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:”
• Onesimus’s status changes from servant to beloved brother.(Philemon 1)
  • With: Philemon
  • “Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee”
• Paul assumes responsibility for any debt Onesimus owes Philemon.(Philemon 1)
  • With: Paul Philemon
  • “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;”

Colossians 4

• friends with Paul “With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.”

Philemon 1

• mentor: Paul (Paul describes Onesimus as his son in the faith) “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:”
• sender: Paul “Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:”
• employer: Philemon (Onesimus had been Philemon's servant) “Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”
• with Philemon (brothers in the flesh and in the Lord) “Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”
• parent: Paul (spiritual father and son) “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:”
• with Paul (Paul regards Onesimus as a beloved brother) “Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”

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Extracted from the original text of The New Testament. Made with Rho MD.