Colossians 4:9

9. Onesimus--the slave mentioned in the Epistle to Philemon (Phm 10, 16), "a brother beloved." a faithful ... brother--rather, "the faithful brother," he being known to the Colossians as the slave of Philemon, their fellow townsman and fellow Christian. one of you--belonging to your city. They shall make known unto you all things--Greek, "all the things here." This substantial repetition of "all my state shall Tychicus declare unto you," strongly favors the reading of English Version in Col 4:8, "that he might (may) know your state," as it is unlikely the same thing should be stated thrice.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Verse 9. With Onesimus. Who had been formerly a servant of Philemon, an inhabitant of Colosse. Phm 1:10. Onesimus had probably been recently converted; and Paul felt towards him the warm attachment of a brother, Phm 1:16. In what way he became acquainted with him is unknown. A more full account of him will be found in the Notes on the epistle to Philemon.

Who is one of you. That is, either who is from your city, or one of your own people and nation. It is clear from this, that Onesimus was from Phrygia, and probably from the city of Colosse itself. It would seem, also, that he was of a higher rank than is designated by the word "slave" now. He was, indeed, a "servant" δουλος --of Philemon; but would the apostle have addressed the Colossians, and said that he was "one of them," if he had occupied precisely the condition which is now denoted by the word slave? Would a minister of the gospel now in the Northern States, who should send a letter by a runaway slave to a community of masters at the South, say of him that he was "one of them?" Would it be kindly received, or produce a good impression, if he did? There is reason, therefore, to think that Onesimus was not a slave in the proper sense, but that he might have been a respectable youth, who had bound himself to service for a term of years, Comp. Phm 1:18.

They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Relating to Paul himself, and the state of the church in Rome. As the epistle which Paul sent was designed not only for them, but to be a part of the volume of revealed truth, he wrote only those things which would be of permanent interest. Other matters he left for those who carried the epistle to communicate. It would also serve to give Tychius and Onesimus more respectability in view of the church at Colosse, if he referred the church to them for information on important points.

(b) "a faithful" Phm 1:10

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Verse 9 With Onesimus - who is one of you - Onesimus was a native of some part of Phrygia, if not of Colosse itself; and being lately converted to the Christian faith by the instrumentality of the apostle, he would be able, on this account, to give them satisfactory information concerning the apostle's state, which would be doubly acceptable to them as he was their countryman. See the Epistle to Philemon. All things which are done here - FG, the Vulgate, Itala, Jerome, and Bede, add here πραττομενα, what is done, which we have supplied in Italics in our translation. These brethren could give an account of the transactions at Rome, relative to the apostle and Christianity, which it might not be prudent for him to commit to writing. See on Col 4:7 (note). The reign of Nero was not only cruel, but suspicious, jealous, and dangerous.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain