Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(useful). Slave of Philemon, at Colosse, in whose behalf Paul wrote the epistle to Philemon (Col. 4:9; Philem. 1:10,15).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
Slave of Philemon, converted when with Paul, and sent back to his master not simply as a servant, but as “a brother beloved” (Col. 4:9; Philem. 1:10). Christianity did not come in to set the world right thus: Onesimus was sent back to his master, and slaves are elsewhere exhorted to be faithful to their masters; but slavery is doubtless one of the fruits of man’s sin.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Transliteration:
Onesimos
Meaning:
from 3685; profitable; Onesimus, a Christian
Jackson’s Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:
profitable
Potts’ Bible Proper Names:
Useful; profitable:―slave or servant of Philemon, Philem. 1:10. {Utilis}