Onesimus [Ōnĕs'ĭmŭs]—profitable. The slave of Philemon, Paul’s convert (Col. 4:7-9; Philemon 10-19). Onesimus ran away from his master and came into contact with Paul, who led him to Christ after they met in Rome. Paul urged him to return to his master and entreated Philemon to receive Onesimus, not as a slave, but as a brother in the Lord. How the apostle approached Onesimus provides us with a beautiful exhibition of Christian Courtesy.