faithful child in the Lord” (τέκνον ἀγαπητὸν καὶ πιστὸν ἐν κυρίῳ 1 Cor 4:17*). The image of father and child is sometimes employed in Rabbinic Judaism to describe the relationship that obtains between a teacher and the student whom he has instructed in the Torah.27 In the mystery religions the mystagogue is considered the father of the initiate who remains bound to him.28 Paul uses a similar mode of expression.29 For the Apostle calls Onesimus his “child” (τέκνον) not only because