been accomplished by Onesimus’ conversion to Christ as the Lord. The past has now been cancelled out. Only the present, which is determined by the fact that Onesimus belongs to Christ, is valid.37 Also Philemon can corroborate this transformation, for Onesimus was once “useless”38 to him, but now he will be “useful.” It is true that Paul can only cite himself as witness to this transformation. Nevertheless, he puts: useful “to you” (σοί) before “to me” (ἐμοί). For Philemon will have to satisfy