Paul, while dwelling in his Roman hired house,1 made the acquaintance of Onesimus, a runaway slave from Colosse. His master, wealthy Philemon, whom he had robbed, was a brother in the Colossian Ecclesia, having been taught the truth by Paul.
The usual punishment for a recaptured slave was crucifixion, or at the least, torture. Branding was very common, i.e., the flesh of the slave would be permanently marked by irons heated in fire.
Onesimus, having fled with the proceeds of his theft, was living in vile slums in Rome, in the criminal quarter of the city, when Paul found him. He may have been brought to Paul by Epaphras, a companion of Paul, for Paul was now chained to a Roman soldier; yet he says of him2 “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds.”
To continue reading this Bible article, click here.
Author: P. E. M. Robinson
Keywords: Onesimus, Philemon
Bible reference(s): Col 4:9, Phm 1:10-13, Phm 1:15-17
Source: “Companions of Paul: Onesimus” The Testimony, Vol. 18, No. 207, March 1948, pp. 81-2.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.