“Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:”
Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to me and to you — the name Onesimus (onēsimos — useful) creates wordplay: once unfruitful (achrēstos — useless), now profitable (euchrēstos — useful). The reversal is complete and multivalent: useful to Paul (providing service during imprisonment), useful to Philemon (redeemed slave now reliable), and useful to God (converted to Christ). The transformation of a wasted human into useful instrument exemplifies the gospel's redemptive power.
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a note on this verse
0/2000
AS
Adam Smith (test user)1d agoThe promise of restoration — Philemon 1
Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. The thread of covenant runs through every book of the Bible.. His timing, His methods, His purposes — all beyond our comprehension, yet perfec...
1
AD
Amara Diallo (test user)1d agoTrusting God's timing — Philemon 1
God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. Reading the Psalms alongside this gives a full...
1