Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
Philemon 1:16 KJV
About the Book of Philemon
This single-page letter is Paul's personal appeal to Philemon, a wealthy Christian in Colossae. Philemon's slave Onesimus had run away, met Paul, and become a believer. Paul sends him back with a request that Philemon welcome him no longer as a slave but as a brother. He offers to repay any debt himself. It is the shortest of Paul's letters and a quiet test of how the gospel reshapes relationships.
- Testament: New Testament
- Genre: Letter
- Chapters: 1
- Verses: 25
Who Wrote Philemon, and When?
Author: Traditionally attributed to the apostle Paul.
When it was written: Probably around AD 60 to 62, written from prison.
Main Themes in Philemon
- Reconciliation
- Brother not slave
- Appeals made in love
A Key Verse: Philemon 1:16
Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
It states the radical change Paul hopes for in how Philemon sees Onesimus.
Reading Tip
The letter never tells Philemon outright to free Onesimus, and readers have debated what Paul intended. Tradition says Onesimus later became a bishop. Use the randomizer above to land on a verse in Philemon, then press Show context to read the verses around it.
← Random verse from TitusRandom verse from Hebrews →
Browse all 66 books on the Bible books page, or get a verse from the whole Bible with the main Bible verse randomizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters and verses are in Philemon?
Philemon has 1 chapter and 25 verses in the King James Version.
Who wrote Philemon?
Author: Traditionally attributed to the apostle Paul. When it was written: Probably around AD 60 to 62, written from prison.
What is Philemon about?
This single-page letter is Paul's personal appeal to Philemon, a wealthy Christian in Colossae. Philemon's slave Onesimus had run away, met Paul, and become a believer. Paul sends him back with a request that Philemon welcome him no longer as a slave but as a brother. He offers to repay any debt himself. It is the shortest of Paul's letters and a quiet test of how the gospel reshapes relationships.
Can I get a random verse from only Philemon?
Yes. This page picks a random verse from Philemon only. Every one of its 25 verses has an equal chance.