PHILEMON, BOOK OF

Philemon was a Christian who lived in the city of Colossae. Philemon owned a slave whose name was Onesimus. Onesimus fled to Rome where he came in contact with, and was converted by, Paul. The apostle sends Onesimus back to his master bearing this letter, urging Philemon to receive the runaway back, as a "brother" in the Lord. The subtle message of the epistle contains the seeds for the abolition of the evil institution of slavery.