Philemon

Who

Paul, with Timothy.

When

About AD 60, from prison.

What it is

A private letter about a runaway slave, Onesimus, asking his owner to take him back as a brother.

What to watch for

The shortest letter Paul wrote. He never orders, and never quite says the word he is plainly asking for.

no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.Philemon 1:16