Why was Onesimus a picture of all of us?

Onesimus serves as a powerful metaphor for humanity's sinful condition. As a runaway slave and unprofitable servant, he illustrates our natural state of rebellion and worthlessness before God, akin to what is described in Scripture in Romans 3:10-12, indicating that none are righteous. His journey from unprofitable to profitable exemplifies the transformative power of Christ's redemptive work. Just as Paul interceded for Onesimus, Christ intercedes for sinners, making the unworthy worthy through His grace and love, highlighting the beautiful doctrine of redemption and reconciliation in the Gospel.