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The '''Epistle to Philemon''' is a book of the [[Holy Scripture|Bible]] in the [[New Testament]]. ''Philemon'' is generally regarded as one of the undisputed works of [[Apostle Paul|Paul]], and it was most likely written in Rome, around 61-63 AD. It is the shortest of Paul's extant [[epistle|letters]], consisting of only 25 verses. This epistle, along with epistles to the [[Book of Ephesians|Ephesians]] and [[Book of Colossians|Colossians]], was carried by [[Apostle Tychicus|Tychicus]], a disciple and companion of Paul's.

Paul addressed the epistle specifically to [[Apostle Philemon|Philemon]], his fellow [[apostles|apostle]]. Paul appeals directly to Philemon's Christian conscience in asking him to accept the return of [[Apostle Onesimus|Onesimus]], a runaway slave of Philemon's. Paul indicates that he converted Onesimus to Christianity (1:10-11), therefore making him "profitable" (or "useful"). Paul implores Philemon to treat Onesimus not as a slave but, like Paul, as a brother in Christ.

Additionally, Paul offers to take on all debts and transgressions that Onesimus owed to Philemon, just as Christ took on the sins of Man.