A name well known in the New Testament, whose history is exceedingly interesting. His name, it should seem, is derived from the Greek, and means useful. And very useful hath the relation which is given of his conversion proved to the church in all ages ever since.
It appears from the short Epistle of Paul to Philemon, (which see) (Philemon 1:1-25) that Onesimus was originally the slave or servant to Philemon. And though it is not expressly said in so many words that he robbed his master, yet from some expressions in Paul's letter, there seems great probability of it. Be this however as it may, certain it is that he ran from his master, and thereby manifested much worthlessness of conduct. In his wanderings he came to Rome, when Paul was there imprisoned the first time; and knowing the apostle while in his master's service, he visited the apostle in the prison. The Lord, who by his providence brought Onesimus to Paul, made this interview prosperous by his grace; and those visits ended, by the Lord's blessing, in the epistle Paul sent by him to his master Philemon relates those interesting circumstances. And as we find the Epistle to the church of the Colossians was sent from Rome by Onesimus, there is reason to conclude that Philemon sent him back to Paul to minister to him in the prison.
The epistle of Paul to Philemon is a master-piece for elegance and simplicity of style. Methinks it were devoutly to be wished, that all the followers of the Lord Jesus would form their letter-writing by this model. How truly blessed doth the epistle open, after subscribing himself as the prisoner of the Lord, in praying that grace and peace to Philemon might flow from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! And how blessedly doth the apostle close his letter, in a similar prayer, that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ might be with his spirit! Amen. And as the epistle opens and closeth in so sweet and gracious a spirit, so all the parts of it breathe every thing that is truly lovely and becoming the blessed Gospel of Christ.
But while I thus venture to recommend to myself and to others this style of writing. I beg yet more to remark the abundant grace of God the Holy Ghost, in causing such a blessed fragment of his sacred word to have been recorded and handed down in his church. Was it thought an object of everlasting moment thus to preserve in the book of God the history of a poor fugitive, and to let the church know that, in the instance of this slave, the Lord's grace outruns even all our undeservings? Was it indeed meant to shew in this, as well as in a thousand and ten thousand other instances, that "where sin aboundeth grace doth much more abound?"
What a precious example is held forth in this epistle to ministers of the word of God, to parents, masters of families, and all that are interested in the care and government of incautious youth, to feel what Paul felt, and to take an earnest concern in the recovery of transgression of every description and character! Did Paul count this runaway servant a brother, yea, his son, and speak of him as his own bowels, with what affection ought the ties of the minister and his people, the parent and his children, the master and his servant, to be felt and acknowledged in all the circumstances of life! How tenderly the same great apostle elsewhere recommends those gracious principles as the common actions of the christian! "Put on therefore (saith the apostle) as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another; if any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (Colossians 3:12-13)
It is hardly possible, while thus naming the name of Jesus, and in this endearing character of his forgiveness, it is hardly possible to overlook how eminently the Lord himself stands forth in his high office of Intercessor for every Onisemus of his people, who, like this poor fugitive, have all run away from our Lord and master, and wandered from his service. If Paul found Onesimus, how much more hath Jesus found us in our lost estate, "for his mercy endureth for ever!" And if Paul's intercession was so prevalent with Philemon, what must the Lord Jesus's be with the Father!