Philemon 1:11
New International Version
Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

New Living Translation
Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.

English Standard Version
(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)

Berean Standard Bible
Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

Berean Literal Bible
once useless to you, but now useful both to you and to me,

King James Bible
Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

New King James Version
who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

New American Standard Bible
who previously was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

NASB 1995
who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

NASB 1977
who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

Legacy Standard Bible
who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

Amplified Bible
Once he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you as well as to me.

Christian Standard Bible
Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.

American Standard Version
who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:

Contemporary English Version
Before this, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.

English Revised Version
who was aforetime unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Once he was useless to you, but now he is very useful to both of us.

Good News Translation
At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.

International Standard Version
Once he was useless to you, but now he is very useful both to you and to me.

Majority Standard Bible
Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

NET Bible
who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me.

New Heart English Bible
who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.

Webster's Bible Translation
Who in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

Weymouth New Testament
Formerly he was useless to you, but now--true to his name--he is of great use to you and to me.

World English Bible
who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
who once was to you unprofitable, and now is profitable to me and to you,

Berean Literal Bible
once useless to you, but now useful both to you and to me,

Young's Literal Translation
who once was to thee unprofitable, and now is profitable to me and to thee,

Smith's Literal Translation
Once unprofitable to thee, but now more profitable to thee and to me:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable both to me and thee,

Catholic Public Domain Version
In times past, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to me and to you.

New American Bible
who was once useless to you but is now useful to [both] you and me.

New Revised Standard Version
Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But of whom in the past you could not make use, but now he is very useful both to you and to me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He who was not useful to you at times, but now also is very useful to you and to me,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
who, for some time, has been unprofitable to you, but now is very profitable to you and to me:

Godbey New Testament
him at one time unprofitable to you, but now profitable both to you and to me: whom I have sent back to you,

Haweis New Testament
who in time past hath been an unprofitable servant to thee, but now very profitable to thee and to me:

Mace New Testament
'tis true he was formerly useless to you, but now he will be useful to us both:

Weymouth New Testament
Formerly he was useless to you, but now--true to his name--he is of great use to you and to me.

Worrell New Testament
who at one time was unprofitable to you, but now profitable to you and to me;

Worsley New Testament
who was formerly unprofitable to thee, but now profitable both to thee and to me; whom I have sent back to thee:
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Appeal for Onesimus
10I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12I am sending back to you him who is my very heart.…

Cross References
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

Colossians 3:10
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Ephesians 4:22-24
to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; / to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; / and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. / And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Titus 3:3-7
For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. / But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, / He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. ...

Matthew 5:13
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

Luke 15:11-32
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. / The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. / After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. ...

1 Peter 2:10
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

John 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

Romans 6:4
We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

2 Timothy 2:21
So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.


Treasury of Scripture

Which in time past was to you unprofitable, but now profitable to you and to me:

unprofitable.

Job 30:1,2
But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock…

Matthew 25:30
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Luke 17:10
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

profitable.

Luke 15:24,32
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry…

2 Timothy 4:11
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

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Formerly Great Indeed Once Past Profit Profitable Serviceable Time True. Unprofitable Use Useful Useless
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Formerly Great Indeed Once Past Profit Profitable Serviceable Time True. Unprofitable Use Useful Useless
Philemon 1
1. Paul rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon,
8. whom he desires to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again.














Formerly
The Greek word used here is "ποτέ" (pote), which signifies a time in the past. This word sets the stage for a transformation narrative, emphasizing a distinct change from a previous state. In the context of Onesimus, it highlights the dramatic shift in his life from being a runaway slave to a valued brother in Christ. This transformation is a testament to the power of the Gospel to change lives, reminding us that no past is beyond redemption.

he was useless
The term "useless" comes from the Greek "ἄχρηστος" (achrēstos), meaning unprofitable or unserviceable. Onesimus, whose name ironically means "useful" or "profitable," was once considered the opposite of his namesake. This highlights the irony and the profound change that has occurred. In a broader sense, it reflects the human condition before coming to Christ—ineffective and unproductive in spiritual matters.

to you
This phrase personalizes the message to Philemon, indicating a direct relationship and impact. It underscores the personal nature of Christian relationships and the importance of reconciliation and restoration within the body of Christ. Philemon is being called to see Onesimus not just as a slave but as a brother, which challenges social norms and personal grievances.

but now
The Greek "νυνὶ δὲ" (nyni de) marks a pivotal transition. It signifies a present reality that contrasts with the past. This phrase is crucial in understanding the transformative power of Christ in Onesimus's life. It serves as a reminder that in Christ, our present and future are not dictated by our past.

he has become useful
The word "useful" is "εὔχρηστος" (euchrēstos) in Greek, meaning beneficial or serviceable. This transformation from "useless" to "useful" is not just a change in status but a change in nature and purpose. It reflects the redemptive work of Christ, who takes what is broken and makes it whole, giving new purpose and value.

both to you and to me
This phrase emphasizes the communal aspect of Onesimus's transformation. His newfound usefulness is not limited to Paul but extends to Philemon as well, highlighting the interconnectedness of the Christian community. It serves as a call to unity and mutual benefit within the body of Christ, where each member's transformation contributes to the whole.

(11) In time past . . . unprofitable, but now profitable.--The name Onesimus means "useful," or "profitable," though derived from a different root from the words here used. It is hardly possible not to see in this passage a play on words, though (curiously enough) this is not noticed by the old Greek commentators. St. Paul seems to say, "He belied his name in days past; he will more than deserve it now."

To thee and to me.--St. Paul says "to thee," for he was sending back Onesimus. He adds "to me," in affectionate notice of his kindly ministrations already rendered to his spiritual father.

Verse 11. - Who was aforetime unprofitable ... to me. The play upon words seems unmistakable, and is peculiarly Pauline. Onesimus means "useful," or "profitable;" ἄχρηστος, "unprofitable," and εὔχρηστος is emphatic, "very profitable." "Useful he is named, but in time past he was (I confess it) not useful, but useless; in future, however, he will be of great use to us both." Compare with this the corresponding passage of Pliny's 'Letter to Sabinianus,' given in the Introduction. "Unprofitable" is a figure of speech, a euphemism, for "useless and even injurious." St. Paul makes the best of Onesimus's fault that it will in justice allow. But an old commentator says bluntly that Onesimus was "damnosus fuga et furto." How could he have been, in his unconverted state, otherwise than "unprofitable" to his master? "Olim paganus," says a Lapide, "jam Christianus; olim fur, jam fidelis servus; olim profugus, jam redux."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Formerly
ποτέ (pote)
Particle
Strong's 4218: At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever.

[he was] useless
ἄχρηστον (achrēston)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 890: Unprofitable, useless, detrimental. Inefficient, i.e. detrimental.

to you,
σοι (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

now
νυνὶ (nyni)
Adverb
Strong's 3570: A prolonged form of nun for emphasis; just now.

[he has become] useful
εὔχρηστον (euchrēston)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2173: Useful, serviceable, very profitable. From eu and chrestos; easily used, i.e. Useful.

both
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

to you
σοὶ (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

to me.
ἐμοὶ (emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Letters: Philemon 1:11 Who once was useless to you (Phm Phl)
Philemon 1:10
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