Letter to Philemon
The shortest of Paul's letters — a personal appeal to Philemon to welcome back his runaway slave Onesimus, not as property but as a beloved brother in Christ. It subtly undermines the institution of slavery from within.
Author: St. Paul · Written: c. 60-62 AD
🎯Key Themes
⭐Famous Verses
Philemon 1:16
“No longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord.”
📝Summary & Overview
Onesimus, a slave who fled from Philemon, meets Paul in prison and becomes a Christian. Paul sends him back with this letter, asking Philemon to receive Onesimus 'no longer as a slave but as a beloved brother.' Paul offers to pay any debts Onesimus owes. This brief letter demonstrates the Gospel's power to transform social relationships: in Christ, master and slave become brothers.
📚Book Details
Author
St. Paul
Written
c. 60-62 AD
Testament
New Testament
Category
Pauline Epistles
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