Philemon 1:11 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

To thee unprofitable, but now profitable, &c.— The word Onesimus is generallyknown to signifyprofitable, and Onesiphorus is much of the same import: they were names which might perhaps have been given to slaves by way of good omen, expressing expectation that they would bring advantage to their masters; and it is very evident that St. Paul refers to the etymology of the word.