The book of Philemon is a
short, personal letter. It is in the New Testament part of the Bible.
Paul wrote some encouraging
words to Philemon. Then, Paul appealed to Philemon on behalf of Philemon's
slave. The slave was called Onesimus. Onesimus had escaped from Philemon.
Later, Onesimus became a Christian. He helped Paul. But Philemon still owned
Onesimus, because Onesimus was a slave.
Paul decided to return
Onesimus to Philemon. Paul asked Philemon to accept Onesimus as his Christian
brother, instead of a slave.