There seems to be little doubt that he did, though this may have displeased other Colossian slave owners who might have preferred to see Onesimus get exemplary punishment to dissuade their own slaves from imitating his example.
On veidi kaheldav, et ta seda tegi, kuna see oleks võinud tekitada meelepaha teistes Kolossa orjaomanikes, kes parema meelega oleksid tahtnud näha, kuidas Oneesimos nagu kord ja kohus karistada saab, olles seega hoiatuseks nende orjadele tema eeskuju mitte järgida.