The Book of Philemon
Paul's shortest and most personal letter, an appeal for forgiveness.
At just twenty-five verses, Philemon is Paul's briefest surviving letter, an intimate appeal on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who had become a Christian through Paul's ministry. Rather than issue a command, Paul appeals to friendship and shared faith, asking that Onesimus be received no longer as a slave but as a dear brother. Read it in full at Philemon chapter 1.
About Philemon
Philemon is the fifty-seventh book of the Bible, the shortest of Paul's letters at only 25 verses and 1 chapter, written by the apostle Paul around AD 60-62 during his Roman imprisonment. It is addressed to Philemon, a wealthy Christian and housechurch leader in Colossae, concerning his runaway slave Onesimus who had apparently encountered Paul in Rome and become a Christian. Paul writes with exquisite tact and rhetorical skill, appealing on the basis of love rather than apostolic authority, asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back -- no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother -- and hinting strongly that he hopes Philemon will release Onesimus to assist Paul in his ministry. Major themes include the gospel's power to transform human relationships across social hierarchies, the application of Christian brotherhood to the social institution of slavery, the nature of forgiveness and restoration, and the way Paul models Christ-like intercession by standing in the place of another. Key verses include Philemon 1:16 -- No longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother -- and Philemon 1:18 -- If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. Philemon KJV is a masterpiece of pastoral correspondence and a profound illustration of how the gospel disrupts and redeems social structures. Though tiny, it carries enormous theological weight. Read the Book of Philemon online here in full.