Christians are called to treat someone differently based on their conversion to Christianity. This act is often something that is easier said, than done for most Christians because familiarity breeds contempt. It is often hard to forget someone’s previous life and focus on the here and now. This though, is exactly what Paul is asking slave owner Philemon to do. Paul’s letter to Philemon is a personnel letter of petition for Onesimus, who has been saved through the work of God through Paul. Onesimus ran away from Philemon also stealing money from him. Paul is encouraging Philemon to take back Onesimus as a brother in Christ forgiving him of the wrongs he has done. Paul is also asking for a personnel favor of Philemon in the text. In examination of the book of Philemon, a better look will be taken, of the relationships between Paul and Philemon, masters and slaves and how conversion changes this relationship.…show more content… Philemon probably first met and became a Christian during Paul’s third missionary journey when he was preaching in Ephesus, even though Philemon is a resident of Colossae; Philemon would have traveled to Ephesus to hear Paul speak (Grundy, 2012, p. 454). The idea of this comes from Paul’s use of “you owe me your very self” (NIV, vs. 19). In this statement to Philemon, Paul is reminding him of the debt of loving gratitude that he should have towards Paul. Paul is not trying to coerce Philemon or guilt him it is only because of love (vs. 9, 14). In fact, love is the whole basis of Paul’s letter to