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"Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother..."

Text: Colossians 4:9

A FAITHFUL WITNESS

The apostle Paul was always faithfully witnessing for the Lord, even when he was in prison. In Philippi, he led the jailer and his family to faith in Christ (Acts 16:25-34). He wrote to the Philippians that he bore witness for the Lord to his Roman jailers (Philippians 1:13).

A NEW CONVERT

Paul wrote approvingly of a man called Onesimus in the following text. He would be accompanying Tychichus when he made his journey to Colossae.

“With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother,
who is one of you. They will make known to you
all things which are happening here.”

Colossians 4:9

1. Who is Onesimus?

a) We may obtain more information about him when we read Paul’s letter to Philemon.

b) From this tender letter to Philemon the following things may be gleaned about Onesimus.

i) He was probably a slave of Philemon.

ii) He had run away from his master (a crime that was punishable).

iii) In prison he had met Paul.

iv) He endeared himself to Paul and became a son (Philemon 1:10).

2. Glowing description of Philemon

a) He was described as “faithful”.

b) He was called “a beloved brother”.

i) He was son to Paul.

ii) A beloved brother to other believers.

c) He was from Colossae (“one of you”).

3. Joint ministry

a) He would accompany Tychichus on the proposed trip to Colossae.

b) They would bear Paul’s letter to the Colossians.

c) They would inform the Colossians brethren.

i) About Paul

ii) About his ministry

iii) About “all things which are happening here”