Important Breakthrough: Cerdo = Chrestos

[Charles Wilson]

SA --

In discussions with someone a few years ago, the subject of Philemon came up and the oddities of the NT book by that name.

Philemon 1: 10 - 11 (RSV):

[10] I appeal to you for my child, Ones'imus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment.
[11] (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)

The first oddity was "Onesimus".

Suetonius, 12 Caesars, "Galba":

"Accordingly his coming was not so welcome as it might have been, and this was apparent at the first performance in the theatre; for when the actors of an Atellan farce began the familiar lines

"Here comes Onesimus from his farm"³⁶

all the spectators at once finished the song in chorus and repeated it several times with appropriate gestures, beginning with that verse."

Note 36: "The text is uncertain, but obviously the song ridiculed a stingy old countryman"

Ummm...I'm not so sure.
The 2nd point concerns "Useful". What was "useful" about Onesimus?

[16] no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
[17] So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.

"Useful" may have a whole 'nuther meaning here.

[Secret Alias]

What do you think the odds are that this marginalia has any bearing on the development of Christianity? I don't even want to know the answer.