Tag Archives: Paul

Let’s consider possible answers to two questions that we were left to ponder a couple of weeks ago: How and why did Onesimus meet up with Paul?Some scholars have suggested that their meeting was a chance encounter either because Onesimus … Continue reading →

Let’s begin to answer the questions asked in last week’s post: Why did Onesimus leave Philemon? The traditional answer has been that Onesimus was a fugitive who had stolen from, and/or otherwise materially harmed Philemon. This would make Onesimus a … Continue reading →

Although it is brief and seemingly straightforward, Paul’s letter to Philemon does raise a number of questions that must be pondered as we try to understand it. Here are a just a few to consider: Why did Onesimus leave Philemon? … Continue reading →

Onesimus was a common name in antiquity (especially for slaves). It means “useful, profitable, beneficial.” In Paul’s letter to Philemon, Onesimus is first introduced almost half-way through the letter as the apostle’s “son” (Phm. 10) – someone Paul has led … Continue reading →

Also serving as witnesses-from-a-distance to whatever Philemon’s response to Paul’s request will be are five individuals who are or have been with Paul and who greet Philemon and his church (Phm. 23-24). They are Epaphras (also imprisoned), Mark, Aristarchus (later … Continue reading →