February 16 · Catholic · traditional calendar
Onesimus
Onesimus appears in Paul's letters as a beloved brother associated with Philemon and the church at Colossae. Claims that he was freed, became a bishop, and died under Domitian belong to later tradition and cannot be read directly from the New Testament.
- Patronage
- No verified patronage is listed for this record.
- Era
- 1st century
What Paul's letters say
Paul calls Onesimus his child in faith and asks Philemon to receive him as a beloved brother rather than merely as a slave. Colossians also calls Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother who belongs to the Colossian community. The letter makes a personal appeal that transforms their relationship in Christ.
Where the evidence stops
The USCCB introduction notes that there is little evidence connecting Paul's Onesimus with the later bishop of Ephesus who had the same name. Scripture does not say that Philemon formally freed him or provide the details of a later martyrdom. Those traditions may be discussed as traditions, but the prior page stated them as established biography.
Sources and references
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