3. Synopsis
A slave called Onesimus has run away from his master, a Christian named Philemon. Onesimus flees to Rome.

4. Synopsis
A slave called Onesimus has run away from his master, a Christian named Philemon. Onesimus flees to Rome. There, Onesimus becomes a Christian under the Apostle Paul.

5. Synopsis
A slave called Onesimus has run away from his master, a Christian named Philemon. Onesimus flees to Rome. There, Onesimus becomes a Christian under the Apostle Paul. Paul knows that the right thing to do is to send Onesimus back, so Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon with a letter asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a Christian brother.

6. The problem
Slaves were assets, and dealt with at their masters’ whim

7. The problem Slaves were assets, and dealt with at their masters’ whim
Slaves were numerous, and rebellion viewed as dangerous

8. The problem Slaves were assets, and dealt with at their masters’ whim
Slaves were numerous, and rebellion viewed as dangerous
Slavery was so ingrained that the institution of slavery is not challenged in the NT (but its practice is)

9. The problem Slaves were assets, and dealt with at their masters’ whim
Slaves were numerous, and rebellion viewed as dangerous
Slavery was so ingrained that the institution of slavery is not challenged in the NT (but its practice is)
Onesimus was a fugitive slave with a Christian master; Onesimus became a Christian while a fugitive

13. Onesimus, Bishop of Ephesus