Ὀνήσιμος (Onēsimos)
Onēsimos
Onesimus
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Onesimus comes from the Greek word for profit or usefulness. It was a common choice for slaves in the ancient world, reflecting their perceived value to their owners. In the New Testament, it refers specifically to the slave of Philemon who fled and later became a Christian under Paul’s ministry.
The letter to Philemon uses this name with deliberate wordplay. Paul notes that Onesimus was previously unprofitable to his master but is now profitable both to him and to Philemon. This shift from uselessness to usefulness mirrors the spiritual transformation Paul describes, turning a social liability into a beloved brother in Christ.
This personal story appears in two brief references in Colossians and the main narrative in Philemon. The name itself serves as a living metaphor for the gospel’s power to restore dignity and create new relationships across social boundaries.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Onesimus means useful or profitable, a title that carried weight in the ancient world but took on new spiritual depth through Paul’s letter to Philemon. In this context, the word highlights a profound transformation: a person once seen as a social liability becomes a beloved brother in Christ. This shift mirrors the gospel’s power to restore dignity and create new relationships across deep social boundaries.
When we encounter this name, we are reminded that our value is not defined by our past mistakes or our social status, but by our identity in Jesus. The story of Onesimus shows how grace can turn a broken relationship into one of mutual respect and love. It invites us to see others through the lens of Christ’s redemption, recognizing that everyone has been made new.
This narrative encourages us to extend the same grace we have received. Just as Paul interceded for Onesimus, we are called to foster reconciliation and treat others with the kindness that reflects our shared faith in Jesus.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Onesimus2×
- Onesimus.1×
- Onesimus,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ὀνήσιμον,1×
- Ὀνησίμῳ1×
- Ὀνησίμου.¶1×
- Ὀνησίμου1×
Key Verses
-
Philemon 1:10
I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have become the father of in my chains,
Paul refers to Onesimus as his 'child' converted in chains, emphasizing the spiritual fatherhood Paul exercised over him during imprisonment.
-
Colossians 4:9
together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
The text identifies Onesimus as a faithful and beloved brother who serves as a messenger to the Colossian church, showing his restored status.