Onesimus
the name means profitable Strong's Lexicon
Onesimus was a runaway slave who became a Christian through Paul's ministry and was the subject of Paul's letter to Philemon.
From Easton's Bible Dictionary
Useful, a slave who, after robbing his master Philemon (q.v.) at Colosse, fled to Rome, where he was converted by the apostle Paul, who sent him back to his master with the epistle which bears his name. In it he beseeches Philemon to receive his slave as a "faithful and beloved brother." Paul offers to pay to Philemon anything his slave had taken, and to bear the wrong he had done him. He was accompanied on his return by Tychicus, the bearer of the Epistle to the Colossians (Philemon 1:16, 18).
Easton's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1897 — public domain, quoted in full and unedited.
First named at Colossians 4:9.
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Verses that name Onesimus
- Colossians 4:9 With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
- Colossians 4:18 This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
- Philemon 1:10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.
- Philemon 1:25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.