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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Philemon 1:11 - 1:11
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Onesimus (Onēsimon). A common name among slaves and made like Chresimus, Chrestus. The word is from onēsis (profit) and that from oninēmi, to profit, to help.
Who was aforetime unprofitable to thee (ton pote soi achrēston). “The once to thee useless one.” Play (pun) on the meaning of the name Onesimus (onēsimos, useful) as once “useless” (achrēstos, verbal adjective, a privative and chraomai, to use).
But now is profitable to thee and to me (nuni de soi kai emoi euchrēston). “But now to thee and to me useful.” Still further play on the name Onesimus by euchrēston (verbal adjective from eu and chraomai, to use). Ethical dative here (soi, emoi).