Meiosis is a figure of speech in which something is understated so that something else may be emphasized and heightened by contrast. It is used for emphasis, “to call our attention not to the smallness of the thing thus lessened, but to the importance of that which is put in contrast with it.”[1] There is a clear example in Philemon 11.
Philemon 11 ESV:
(Formerly he [Onesimus] was useless [achrestos] to you, but now he is indeed useful [euchrestos] to you and to me.)
Paul admits that Onesimus was formerly unprofitable or useless. The Greek word for “unprofitable” or “useless” is achrestos, and the word for “useful” is euchrestos, meaning good use. Onesimus’ running away was, at the very least, theft. He stole himself from his master, if nothing else. However, verse nineteen may imply he also took things that were not his when he departed. Now, Paul asserts that Onesimus is profitable to both of them.
The term “profitable” is associated with Onesimus. The name Onesimus was frequently borne by slaves. Its meaning is “helpful or profitable.” Such descriptive terms were often used as slave names. Verse 11 indicates that Onesimus had not lived up to his name, but Paul, who has “begotten him in his bonds,” has no doubt that Onesimus will be as “profitable” to Philemon as he has been to himself. “Profitable” (Onesimus) was unprofitable, but now that he is a believer, he is truly “profitable.” Onesimus had faithfully served Paul for a considerable period. That was long enough for him to prove himself faithful and to endear himself to Paul as his own true child. This doesn’t happen in a week or a month.
Colossians 4:7–9 APNT:
7 Now what concerns me, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister and our fellow-servant in the LORD, will make known to you.
8 I have sent him to you for this [reason], that he would know what concerns you and would comfort your hearts,
9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you what concerns us.
Paul is doing his best to reach Philemon’s heart. By this figure of meiosis, one thing is diminished to increase another. One thing is lowered to magnify and intensify something else by contrast. In Philemon 11, the thing diminished is Onesimus’ theft and flight. The thing magnified has three parts. Paul is magnifying: 1) the salvation and spiritual growth of Onesimus, 2) Onesimus’ benefit and service to Paul while he was in prison, and 3) Onesimus’ potential benefit to Philemon. The acts of theft and flight are diminished because, compared to Onesimus’ personal salvation, his refreshment to Paul, and his potential profitability to Philemon, the loss of money and time of service is inconsequential.
Another example of Paul’s use of meiosis is his self-description as the least of all the apostles and the chief of sinners.
1 Corinthians 15:9 APNT:
For I am the least of the apostles and am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Timothy 1:15 APNT:
The word is faithful and it is worthy to receive, that Jesus Christ came into the world to give life to sinners, of whom I am chief.
Scripture References
Scripture quotations marked (APNT) taken from the Aramaic Peshitta New Testament Translation: With explanatory footnotes marking variant readings, customs and figures of speech, Copyright © 2006 by Janet M. Magiera, Light of the Word Ministry, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. (www.lightofword.org)
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[1] Bullinger, E. W., Figures of Speech Used in the Bible, pp. 155-158.