This brief letter, the shortest and most personal of Paul’s letters, shows how attitudes and relationships are transformed by Christ. It was written on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave, who was returning to Philemon, his master. Paul encouraged Philemon to go beyond the traditional master–slave relationship by welcoming Onesimus back as a beloved brother in Christ. With these words of reconciliation, Paul reminds us that all relationships among Christians, regardless of a person’s social standing, are transformed by the love of Christ. Setting A slave named Onesimus seems to have run away from his Christian master, Philemon. Philemon resided in Colosse, a small town in the Roman province of Asia (now western Turkey) about 120 miles (193 kilometers) east of Ephesus. When Onesimus ran away, he might have stolen some of his master’s things. Somehow Onesimus came into contact with Paul, who was in prison, and became a believer through Paul’s ministry. When Paul became aware that Onesimus was a runaway slave, he encouraged him to return to his master. Slavery was widespread in the Roman world and, by law, captured runaways had to be returned to their owners. They often faced...

Paul’s Letter to Philemon Purpose To encourage Philemon to welcome back his slave Onesimus, who had become a believer Author Paul Date Traditionally, AD 60–62, but possibly earlier, around AD 53–56 Setting Written while Paul was in prison, after he had encountered Onesimus, who was seemingly a runaway slave of Philemon, a Christian leader in Colosse

1:1 Paul, a prisoner: It is traditionally thought that Paul was writing from prison in Rome, but it is also possible that he was writing earlier from Ephesus, much closer to Philemon’s home in Colosse (see Philemon Book Introduction, “Date and Place of Writing”). • Timothy was one of Paul’s closest co-workers (see “Timothy” Profile). • co-worker: Philemon was active in ministry for Christ.