Philemon 10-12 - Onesimus who?

Onesimus.

I have yet to meet anyone named after him, but there's a whole book of the Bible written about him!

He was a slave that ran away from his master, Philemon. Onesimus became a Christian after meeting Paul was who imprisoned in Rome. He stayed with the elderly apostle who was basically awaiting a death sentence from Caesar. After while, though, Paul sent Onesimus back to his former master, with a letter asking Philemon to formally give him his freedom.

He wrote: "I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. 11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. 12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart." (Philemon 10-12, New American Standard Bible, 1995)

Paul gives no specifics, but he is basically giving recognition to the work that Onesimus had done for him. It could have been something as simple as getting him some medicine, or some fresh fruit from the market. Or just sitting and visiting with him.

It's important to acknowledge the good that others do for us, even if we don't go into all the details. And if we start wondering, "Well, who's going to recognize what I've done?" remember that 

"God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints." (Hebrews 6:10, NASB95)

Thank you, God, for not forgetting whatever ways we've served You by serving others. Make us gracious people that acknowledge when others have served their neighbor (Luke 10:36-37). Amen