"I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me."
Biblical Name · Greek Origin
Onesimus Meaning in the Bible
Onesimus
boy
Onesimus means "Useful; Profitable; Beneficial", a boy's name of Greek origin. Onesimus appears in the King James Bible, and Philemon 1:10-11 is the passage most often tied to it. Onesimus embodies gospel transformation — once 'useless,' now 'useful.' In Christ, every person becomes who their name declares.
Is Onesimus in the Bible?
Yes — Onesimus appears in the King James Bible, including Philemon 1:10-11.
Pronunciation:/oh-NES-ih-mus/
OriginGreek
MeaningUseful; Profitable; Beneficial
What does Onesimus mean?
Onesimus is a boy name of Greek origin meaning "Useful; Profitable; Beneficial". Onesimus was a runaway slave who encountered Paul in prison and became a Christian.
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What does Onesimus mean in the Bible?
Onesimus means "Useful; Profitable; Beneficial" and is a name of Greek origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Onesimus was a runaway slave who encountered Paul in prison and became a Christian. Paul sent him back to his master Philemon with a letter asking Philemon to receive him 'not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved.' It's the Bible's most personal letter about forgiveness and reconciliation.
Where does Onesimus appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Onesimus is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Philemon 1:10-11. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved."
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Which books of the Bible mention Onesimus?
Onesimus is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Onesimus?
Onesimus embodies gospel transformation — once 'useless,' now 'useful.' In Christ, every person becomes who their name declares.
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What names are related to Onesimus?
Names like Onesimus
Other Greek biblical names that share the spirit of "Useful; Profitable; Beneficial" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Onesimus
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Penelope
girl
"Weaver; Faithful wife"
Onesimus & Penelope
Anastasia
girl
"Resurrection"
Onesimus & Anastasia
Berenice
girl
"Bringer of victory; She who brings"
Onesimus & Berenice
Elara
girl
"Bright; Shining light"
Onesimus & Elara
Elara
girl
"Cheerful; Bright"
Onesimus & Elara
Elena
girl
"Shining light; Bright one"
Onesimus & Elena
Share the meaning of Onesimus
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Onesimus name meaning: frequently asked questions
Common questions about the name Onesimus
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Onesimus?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Onesimus?
You can read every verse where Onesimus appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.