Onesimus (which means ‘useful’) was a slave of a believer named Philemon in Colosse. Apparently, Onesimus had stolen from Philemon and fled the city. At some point while Paul was under house arrest in Rome, Onesimus met him and became a Christian. Paul wrote this letter and gave it to Onesimus to carry back to Philemon. Paul appeals to Philemon to welcome Onesimus for love’s sake. This letter puts a spotlight on the power of Christ to transform relationships with His love.