In this verse there is an allusion to the name Onesimus, which means “profitable, beneficial.” (The noun onēsis “profit” comes from the verb oninēmi “to profit, benefit,” which appears in verse 20.) The adjective “useless” (Revised Standard Version) occurs only here in the NT; “useful” appears also in 2 Tim 2.21, 4.11. Paul is referring to the change in Onesimus from what he was formerly. Though not conclusive, verse 18 implies that Onesimus has stolen some valuables when he ran away from Philemon; and a slave who ran away was, by definition, quite useless. The two adjectives have the broadest meaning and are not to be restricted only to financial loss or profit.

The temporal phrase at one time may be best expressed in many instances as “formerly” or “in the past.” At one time does not mean “on one occasion.”

He was of no use to you may be expressed as “he did you no good,” or “he was no help to you,” or “he did not in any way help you.” Similarly, the last part of this verse may be expressed as “but now he helps both you and me” or “… can be helpful to both you and me.”

There is practically no way in which the pun on the meaning of the name Onesimus can be reproduced in translation, and therefore it may be useful to introduce a marginal note at this point to indicate the play on the meaning of the name Onesimus.

Both to you and to me may be expressed in a more polite and appropriate form in some languages as “not only to you but also to me.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to Philemon. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .