John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. With Onesimus , etc.] Who had been Philemon's servant, ran away from him, and was met with and converted by the Apostle Paul, of whom he says many things in his epistle to his master. According to the Apostolic Constitutions, he was afterwards bishop of Beyrhoea; and some say he suffered martyrdom under Domitian; a servant of this name is mentioned by Suetonius f58 , Ignatius speaks of one Onesimus as bishop of Ephesus, but not the same with this, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you ; either one of their ministers, as Epaphras was, ( Colossians 3:12) or one of their city, who was originally a native of that place; and which the apostle mentions, the more to recommend him; though this is the least part of his commendation; he calls him a brother, being both a converted man, and in the ministry; and being faithful in his work to Christ, and greatly beloved, by the saints; and particularly highly in the esteem and affections of the apostle: they shall make known unto you all things which are done here ; at Rome, either to him in prison, or in the church; and being two of them, were a proper number to bear a testimony, and which ought to be received.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-9 - Ministers are servants to Christ, and fellow-servants to one another They have one Lord, though they have different stations and powers for service. It is a great comfort under the troubles and difficulties of life, to have fellow Christians caring for us. Circumstances of lif make no difference in the spiritual relation among sincere Christians they partake of the same privileges, and are entitled to the sam regards. What amazing changes Divine grace makes! Faithless servant become faithful and beloved brethren, and some who had done wrong become fellow-workers of good.
Greek Textus Receptus
συν 4862 PREP ονησιμω 3682 N-DSM τω 3588 T-DSM πιστω 4103 A-DSM και 2532 CONJ αγαπητω 27 A-DSM αδελφω 80 N-DSM ος 3739 R-NSM εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S εξ 1537 PREP υμων 5216 P-2GP παντα 3956 A-APN υμιν 5213 P-2DP γνωριουσιν 1107 5692 V-FAI-3P τα 3588 T-APN ωδε 5602 ADV
Vincent's NT Word Studies
9. Onesimus. See on Philemon 10.The faithful and beloved brother. Whom the Colossians had known only as the worthless, runaway slave
. See Philemon 11, 16.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:9 {Together with Onesimus} (sun onesimwi). Co-bearer of the letter with Tychicus and praised on a par with him, runaway slave though he is. {Who is one of you} (hos estin ex humwn). Said not as a reproach to Colossae for having such a man, but as a privilege to the church in Colossae to give a proper welcome to this returning converted slave
and to treat him as a 
