Philemon: No Longer a Slave

Paul writes to Philemon and explains to him that Christ in him is meant to be used to be good to others and that we were created to do good in Christ. Paul then asks Philemon, in light of their culture, to consider the implications of the gospel. More specifically, he asks Philemon not to just take his slave, Onesimus, back, but to accept him as a brother and reconcile their relationship. In their culture especially, this was something that could only be done in the gospel.