Philemon About this letter - Contemporary English Version (Anglicised) 2012（CEVUK）

About this letterPhilemon was a wealthy man who owned slaves and who used his large house for church meetings (2). He probably lived in Colossae, since Paul's letter to the Colossians mentions Onesimus, a slave of Philemon, and Archippus (Colossians 4.9,17).Paul is writing from jail on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave owned by Philemon. Onesimus had become a follower of the Lord and a valuable friend to Paul, and Paul is writing to encourage Philemon to accept Onesimus also as a friend and follower of the Lord.This letter is an excellent example of the art of letter-writing in the Roman world, and it is the most personal of all Paul's letters. The way the letter is written suggests that Paul and Philemon were close friends.A quick look at this letter1. Greetings to Philemon (1-3)2. Paul speaks to Philemon about Onesimus (4-22)3. Final greetings and a prayer (23-25)