It is always interesting to get a glimpse into the world of the Bible. When we do, we realize very quickly that these were men and women were very much like ourselves, but they lived in a culture quite different from our own.

For one thing, biblical people lived in a society that condoned the owning of slaves. Of course, the same thing could be said of our own society up until 150 years ago. And, as in our own nation, to be a runaway slave was a serious event. Today’s scripture centers on one such slave, a man named “Useful.”

That’s what his name means Useful. We know him as Onesimus. St. Paul is writing from prison, probably in Rome. Somehow, under Paul’s influence, this runaway slave named Useful, or Onesimus, has become a follower of Christ.

It is clear that Paul has grown quite fond…