◄ 3682. Onésimos ►
Strong's Lexicon Onésimos: Onesimus Original Word: Ὀνήσιμος Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Onésimos Pronunciation: o-NAY-see-mos Phonetic Spelling: (on-ay'-sim-os) Definition: (originally adj: useful, hence the play upon words in Philemon 10, 11, and very common as slave name), Onesimus, a slave of Philemon, a Christian of Colossae. Meaning: The name "Onesimus" means "useful" or "profitable." Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word ὀνίνημι (oninēmi), meaning "to profit" or "to be useful." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct Hebrew equivalents for the Greek name Onesimus, as it is a proper noun specific to the New Testament context. However, the concept of being "useful" or "profitable" can be related to Hebrew words like יָעַל (ya'al • Strong's Hebrew 3276), which means "to profit" or "to be of use." Usage: Onesimus is a proper noun used in the New Testament to refer to a specific individual, a slave who became a Christian and is mentioned in the Epistle to Philemon. Context: Onesimus is a significant figure in the New Testament, primarily known from the Epistle to Philemon. He was a slave belonging to Philemon, a Christian leader in Colossae. Onesimus ran away from his master and eventually encountered the Apostle Paul, who was imprisoned at the time. Under Paul's influence, Onesimus converted to Christianity. Paul wrote the Epistle to Philemon as a personal letter, appealing to Philemon to receive Onesimus back not merely as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ. In Philemon 1:10-11 (BSB), Paul writes, "I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me." The letter is a profound example of Christian forgiveness and reconciliation, emphasizing the transformative power of the Gospel. Onesimus's story illustrates the breaking down of social barriers within the Christian community, as Paul advocates for his acceptance as an equal in the faith. The tradition holds that Onesimus may have later become a prominent leader in the early church, possibly even serving as a bishop. His story is a testament to the redemptive work of Christ in individual lives and the Christian call to unity and love. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin from onésis (use, profit, advantage) Definition "useful," Onesimus, a Christian NASB Translation Onesimus (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3682: Ὀνήσιμος Ὀνήσιμος, Ὀνησίμου, ὁ (i. e. profitable, helpful; from ὄνησις profit), Onesimus, a Christian, the slave of Philemon: Philemon 1:10; Colossians 4:9. (Cf. Lightfoots Commentary, introduction, Hackett in B. D.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Onesimus. From oninemi; profitable; Onesimus, a Christian -- Onesimus. see GREEK oninemi Forms and Transliterations Ονησιμον Ὀνήσιμον Ονησιμω Ὀνησίμῳ όνησιν σὺν Onesimo Onēsimō Onesímoi Onēsímōi Onesimon Onēsimon Onḗsimon sun Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Colossians 4:9 N-DMS GRK: σὺν Ὀνησίμῳ τῷ πιστῷ NAS: and with him Onesimus, [our] faithful KJV: With Onesimus, a faithful and INT: with Onesimus the faithful Philemon 1:10 N-AMS GRK: τοῖς δεσμοῖς Ὀνήσιμον NAS: to you for my child Onesimus, whom KJV: my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten INT: chains Onesimus Strong's Greek 3682 2 Occurrences Ὀνησίμῳ — 1 Occ. Ὀνήσιμον — 1 Occ.