Paul's Letter to Philemon

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Philemon was a believer in Colosse who, along with other Christians, was a slave owner.  One of his slaves, Onesimus, had apparently stolen from him and then run away, which under Roman law was punishable by death.  But Onesimus met Paul and through his ministry became a Christian.  Now he was willing to return to his master.

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Paul wrote this short letter about A.D. 60 from prison and sent it to Colosse with Onesimus and Tychius.  Paul writes this personal appeal to ask Philemon to accept Onesimus as a Christian brother, not as a slave.  Now that Onesimus (whose name means useful) was a believer, he was really useful (veses 10 and 11).

I. Greetings (1-3)
II.  Thanksgiving and Prayer (4-7)
III. Paul's Plea for Onesimus (8-21)
IV.  Conclusion (22-25)

continue to Hebrews...