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Did Paul have an illegitimate son?

Claim:

Paul writes, “I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment” (Phile. 10).

Response:

Obviously not! This would mean that Paul had a conjugal visit while in prison (“begotten in my imprisonment”), and Roman prisons didn’t have these privileges. This interpretation would also mean that Paul sent a toddler back to Philemon (!!). Instead, Paul refers to people he’s led to Christ as his children (c.f. 1 Cor. 4:14, 17). N.T. Wright explains, “The Rabbis used the metaphor of sonship to describe the teacher-pupil relationship: Paul was fond of using it for that between himself and his converts (1 Cor. 4:14–15; 2 Cor. 6:13; Gal. 4:19; Phil. 2:22; cf. 1 Tim. 1:2, etc.).”

  1. ^

    Wright, N. T. (1986). Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 12, p. 188). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

About The Author
James Rochford

James earned a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, graduating magna cum laude. He is the founder of Evidence Unseen and the author of several books. James enjoys serving as a pastor at Dwell Community Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and their two sons.

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