Philemon 1: Welcome Him as a Brother
Philemon opens with the names Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, writing to Philemon, a dear fellow worker, and to the church that meets in his house. Paul thanks God for Philemon's love and faith, which have refreshed the hearts of God's people. Then Paul appeals to him for Onesimus, who became Paul's spiritual child while Paul was in chains. Paul sends Onesimus back and asks Philemon to receive him no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother. Paul offers to repay anything Onesimus owes.