Onesimus: The Transformation from “Unprofitable” to “Beloved Brother”
The story of Onesimus is one of the most powerful and personal accounts of Christian reconciliation and transformation in the New Testament. His life is the central subject of the brief epistle of Philemon, written by the Apostle Paul.
The Identity: A Runaway Slave
Onesimus was a slave of Philemon, a wealthy Christian and leader in the church at Colossae (Colossians 4:9). His name, ironically, meant “profitable” or “useful.”
At some point, Onesimus fled from his master, possibly having also stolen from him:
Philemon 1:18 (KJV): “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.”
As a runaway slave, Onesimus was an outlaw under Roman law, facing potentially severe punishment if caught.
The Transformation: Encounter with Paul
In the providence of God, Onesimus traveled to Rome where the Apostle Paul was imprisoned (under house arrest). While there, Onesimus encountered Paul’s ministry and was converted to Christianity.
This spiritual rebirth utterly changed the former fugitive:
Philemon 1:10-11 (KJV): “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:”
Paul affectionately refers to the former slave as his “son” and describes him as having become incredibly helpful and beloved to him while in prison.
The Reconciliation: The Letter to Philemon
Recognizing that Onesimus belonged to Philemon, and wanting to model the principles of the Gospel, Paul sent Onesimus back to his master. Onesimus carried the letter to Philemon, a gentle but firm appeal from Paul that stands as a masterpiece of Christian advocacy.
Paul pleads with Philemon to receive Onesimus back, not according to the former legal or social status, but according to the new reality of their faith:
Philemon 1:15-17 (KJV): “For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 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? If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.”
In essence, Paul was asking Philemon to forgive the debt and offense, to forego his legal right to punish, and to welcome the former runaway slave as a spiritual equal—a brother in Christ. To make the reconciliation complete, Paul even offered to pay any financial debt Onesimus owed.
Prophetic Hotspot: The Gospel in Miniature
The story of Onesimus and Philemon is often cited as a powerful illustration of the Gospel itself:
- The Sinner: Onesimus was indebted and alienated from his master, representing humanity separated from God by sin (debt).
- The Intercessor: Paul steps in on behalf of the offender, pleading his case and offering to pay the debt (“put that on mine account“), representing Jesus Christ as our Intercessor who pays our sin-debt.
- The Reconciliation: The master is urged to receive the offender back as a beloved son/brother, representing God’s forgiveness and our reception into the family of God, where old titles and earthly status are dissolved by our common identity in Christ.
The Return Question: The Power of Transformation
The transformation of Onesimus from a “useless” runaway to a “profitable” and “beloved brother” highlights the boundless power of the Gospel to change hearts, regardless of social standing.
As we look toward The Lord’s Return , the story confirms that God’s plan involves not just future glorification, but immediate and radical transformation of the inner life and the relationships of His people. The Gospel is the engine of change that breaks down every barrier and makes even the most unlikely people into co-heirs and equal members of the family of God, thereby preparing a unified, sanctified people for the return of the Lord.
If the Gospel can reconcile a runaway slave and his wronged master, it holds the power to purify and unite the Church in preparation for the ultimate reconciliation at the Advent of Christ.