Onesimus
Quick Summary
Onesimus was an enslaved person who belonged to Philemon, a wealthy Christian in Colossae. Onesimus may have run away from his master, possibly after stealing money. While enslaved, Onesimus encountered the Apostle Paul, who was imprisoned at the time. Paul converted Onesimus to Christianity and wrote a letter to Philemon, asking him to forgive Onesimus and receive him as a beloved brother in Christ. Paul's appeal was not based on his authority but on Christian principles of love and forgiveness, suggesting that in Christ, social barriers between enslaved people and free people are transcended.12
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- Letter of Paul to Philemon
…western Turkey), on behalf of Onesimus, who was enslaved to Philemon and may have run away from him. The epistle is the 18th book of the New Testament canon and was probably composed in Rome about 61 ce.
Read More…western Turkey), on behalf of Onesimus, who was enslaved to Philemon and may have run away from him. The epistle is the 18th book of the New Testament canon and was probably composed in Rome about 61 ce.
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biblical literatureThe Letter of Paul to the ColossiansOnesimus appears in Colossians, chapter 4, and the readers of Colossians are asked to transmit a special injunction through the church of the Laodiceans to Archippus—possibly that the former slave, Onesimus, now referred to as a “beloved brother,” be freed for service of the gospel.…
Read MoreOnesimus appears in Colossians, chapter 4, and the readers of Colossians are asked to transmit a special injunction through the church of the Laodiceans to Archippus—possibly that the former slave, Onesimus, now referred to as a “beloved brother,” be freed for service of the gospel.…
Read More- biblical literatureThe Letter of Paul to Philemon
…or nearby Laodicea) whose slave Onesimus had run away, after possibly having stolen money from his master. The slave apparently had met Paul in prison, was converted, and was being returned to his master with a letter from Paul appealing not on the basis of his apostolic authority but according…
Read More…or nearby Laodicea) whose slave Onesimus had run away, after possibly having stolen money from his master. The slave apparently had met Paul in prison, was converted, and was being returned to his master with a letter from Paul appealing not on the basis of his apostolic authority but according…
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