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Philemon 11 – Useless Useful
V.11 – Useless/Useful
Some consider “useless” and “useful” to be a play on words on the meaning of “Onesimus.” This is possible but not as certain as the humorous play in v.20. It seems very likely for two reasons:
1) Even though “euchrestos” (useful) is not derived from “Oneesimos” (Onesimus), they both have the same meaning;
2) The phrase “useless…but…now useful” immediately follows after the slave’s name, as if for an intended purpose.
Argued against this is the observation found in the classic, The Life and Epistles of St. Paul (Conybeare & Howson): “…there seems scarcely sufficient ground for this, and it was never remarked by the ancient Greek commentators, whose judgment on such a point would be entitled to most deference.” (p.689)
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