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.

== External Links Purpose of the epistle==Online translations of Paul addressed the Epistle 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 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.  == External link ==* [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=64&chapter=1&version=31 Online translations of the ''Epistle to Philemon'']