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Paul intercedes for Onesimus

The apostle Paul, imprisoned, wrote a deeply affectionate letter from his prison cell. The runaway slave Onesimus met the imprisoned Paul in Rome, and his life was completely transformed, becoming a brother in the Lord. Paul personally wrote to Philemon, Onesimus' master, not commanding with apostolic authority, but earnestly pleading out of love—welcome this former runaway slave, no longer treating him as a servant but as a dear brother. Paul even was willing to take on all of Onesimus' debt, offering his own reputation as security. This brief personal letter has become an eternal testimony of forgiveness and acceptance in the Christian faith.