Version: King James Version (public domain)
Philemon
A slave, a brother
In Paul’s shortest letter he asks Philemon to welcome back Onesimus, a runaway slave who became a Christian, “not now as a servant, but… a brother beloved”.
Historical context
It has a single chapter of 25 verses and is one of Paul’s few personal letters.
Explanation
Best-known passages
- The plea for Onesimus (vv. 10–16)