John Chrysostom

"They shall make known unto you," he saith, "all things that are done here." Why didst thou not come with them, says one? But what is, "They shall make known unto you all things"? My bonds, that is, and all the other things that detain me. I then, who pray to see them, who also send others, should not myself have remained behind, had not some great necessity detained me. And yet this is not the language of accusations-yes, of vehement accusation. …

Homily on Colossians 11 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Onesimus is the slave of Philemon. What honor and what respect he attained, so that he is called a brother of Paul. And Paul is not ashamed to call himself a brother of a slave. Further, in praise of their city he adds: "who is from you," so that they too would consider it an honor for themselves that they produced such a man. That is, about my bonds and about everything else keeping me here. If it were not for this, I would have come to you myself.

Commentary on Colossians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then he mentions his companion, and with him Onesimus. These two will tell you of everything that has taken place here; they will relate what you are doing to me for correction, and tell you what I am doing so you may have an example.

Commentary on Colossians ↗