New Testament · Paul's Letters

Philemon

Written by Paul. Written for Philemon, a Christian who owned a man named Onesimus.

Big picture in three sentences

Philemon is a private letter about a runaway who met Jesus through Paul.

Paul sends Onesimus home and asks Philemon to receive him as a brother.

The gospel changes how people with power treat people in their house.

This is one chapter, and it is about a real household.

Key verse · Philemon 1:16

“no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”