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Scripture Story Sketch Notes · Philemon 1

Philemon and
Onesimus

“Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved.” Philemon 1:16

A slave ran away from a Christian household, found Paul in prison and found Jesus Christ. Then Paul sent him home with a letter asking his master to welcome him back as a brother.

Start the road ↓ Read Philemon first (25 verses)
Hand-drawn doodle map: a house in a green valley where believers meet, a young man in coral slipping away at night, a road and a ship sailing toward Rome, an older man in blue with a light chain, the older man teaching the young man by lamplight, the older man writing a letter, two travelers walking the long road back, and the young man welcomed with open arms at the door.

Before you begin

The story in brief

Philemon was a Christian in Colosse who let the Saints meet in his house. A slave in his household, Onesimus, ran away, and may have taken something with him. Under Roman law a runaway could be beaten, branded or even killed. Somehow Onesimus found the Apostle Paul, who was a prisoner, and Paul taught him the gospel. Onesimus became, in Paul’s words, “my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds.”

Paul sent him home with a short letter. He asked Philemon to take Onesimus back “not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved,” and to “receive him as myself.” Then Paul made an offer: “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.”

Who’s who

  • Onesimus: a runaway slave who found Christ
  • Philemon: a Christian in Colosse, his master
  • Paul: the Apostle, a prisoner who pleads for him
  • Jesus Christ: our Advocate with the Father

Where and when

A letter from Paul in prison to Philemon’s house in Colosse.

Watch for the Savior

Watch how Paul’s plea for Onesimus looks like the Savior’s plea for us.

Read it yourself: Philemon 1:1–25

Part 1 of 7

The road, mapped

Eight stops from a house in Colosse to Rome and back again. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.

    Part 2 of 7

    The story, plainly

    Four scenes: running away, a new son, the letter and the welcome home. Look for the Savior in each one.

    Read it plainly

    The words that trip people up

    Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.1

    1. Philemon 1:7“the of the saints are refreshed”
    2. Philemon 1:8“to thee that which is convenient”
    3. Philemon 1:9“I rather thee”
    4. Philemon 1:10“whom I have in my bonds”
    5. Philemon 1:18“or oweth thee ”
    6. Philemon 1:22“prepare me also a ”

    Part 3 of 7

    Look closer

    Small details tell the story. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from Church leaders or Church resources. Each card says which.

    0 of 9 turned

    Part 4 of 7

    Where are you?

    Running away, making it right, at the door, or welcome home. Which feels most like you right now?

    Try it

    The road home

    Follow Onesimus from Colosse to Rome and back again. A light goes ahead of you. At Philemon’s door, you choose.

    “Receive him as myself.” Philemon 1:17

    Part 5 of 7

    Their world, their words

    A little background helps us picture what a runaway slave faced and what Paul was asking. Outside sources are labeled.

    Church resource · Seminary manual

    A dangerous choice

    Slavery “was supported by Roman law,” and runaways could be “severely beaten, branded on the forehead, or even killed.”6

    Going back took real faith.

    Church resource · Student manual

    Philemon’s home

    Philemon was “a Greek convert who probably lived in Colossae” and hosted a congregation.5

    The church met in his house.

    Church resource · Student manual

    More than a plea

    Paul asked Philemon to receive Onesimus “without the severe punishments that would usually be inflicted on runaway slaves.”5

    Mercy over the law’s penalty.

    Church resource · Seminary manual

    Why it was hard

    They “belonged to different social and economic classes,” and Onesimus “may have wronged Philemon.”6

    Brotherhood crossed every line.

    Word study · Greek

    Onēsimos Ὀνήσιμος · the name “Onesimus” (Philemon 1:10)

    Bible Hub: “useful.”7 Outside · lexicon

    So Paul’s pun in 1:11: once “unprofitable,” now “profitable.”1

    Word study · KJV

    bowels “mine own bowels” (Philemon 1:12)

    The seminary manual: “the bowels of the Saints” being refreshed meant “their hearts had been enlivened.”6

    Paul calls Onesimus a piece of his own heart.1

    What the text does not say

    The letter does not say how Philemon answered. Paul writes that he is confident Philemon “wilt also do more than I say.” Scripture leaves the door open, and invites us to finish the story with mercy.1

    Part 6 of 7

    Look to Him

    He is our Advocate, the One who says “put that on mine account,” and the reason enemies can become family.

    “The great Atonement was the supreme act of forgiveness.”

    President Gordon B. Hinckley4
    “Somehow forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes miracles that can happen in no other way.”
    President Gordon B. Hinckley4
    Of forgiveness: “I think it may be the greatest virtue on earth, and certainly the most needed.”
    President Gordon B. Hinckley4
    “Our relationship with Jesus Christ brings us into a familial relationship with all other followers of Christ.”
    New Testament Student Manual5

    The Savior

    Our Advocate

    “Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin … Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name.” Doctrine and Covenants 45:4–5

    Paul

    Onesimus, one of you

    “With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.” Colossians 4:9

    Part 7 of 7

    Seek Him today

    A question to ask in prayer

    Who do I need to welcome back, or whom do I need to go back to? Philemon 1:17

    Ask Heavenly Father to bring one person to mind. Then ask the Savior for the courage and the mercy to take the first step.

    Try it today

    One step of mercy each day. It saves on this device, one day at a time.

    0 of 7 today

    This week:0 of 7 days

    A quiet moment

    “Put that on mine account.”

    Read Philemon 1:10–19 slowly. Picture the Savior saying those words about you to the Father. Thank Him for pleading your cause. Philemon 1:10–19

    A verse to hold

    Talk about it

    1. Why did Onesimus run away, and where did he end up?
    2. What changed Onesimus from “unprofitable” to “profitable”?
    3. What did Paul offer to pay?
    4. How is what Paul did for Onesimus like what Jesus does for us?
    Open

    For adults and deeper study

    Go deeper

    Longer readings, harder questions, and where to study next. Each one says what it is before you click.
    Prophet

    President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Forgiveness” (2005)

    Forgiveness as “the greatest virtue on earth,” the prodigal son, and the Atonement as “the supreme act of forgiveness.”4

    Read the talk →
    Church resource

    New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual: Philemon

    Roman law on runaways, why receiving Onesimus was hard, and how Paul’s plea mirrors the Savior’s.6

    Read the lesson →
    Church resource

    New Testament Student Manual: Philemon

    Who Philemon was, the church in his house, and Paul’s offer to repay.5

    Read the chapter →
    Scripture

    Colossians 4: Onesimus goes home

    Onesimus traveled back to Colosse with Tychicus, and Paul called him “a faithful and beloved brother.”2

    Colossians 4 →
    To ponder

    Harder questions

    • Why might Paul call Onesimus “mine own bowels,” his own heart?
    • What would it have cost Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother?
    • When has the Savior said, in effect, “put that on mine account” for you?

    Sources

    Every quotation, gloss, and piece of background on this page is listed here: scripture first, then Church sources, then outside scholarship (labeled).

    Scripture

    1. Philemon 1:1–25: “Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved.”
    2. Colossians 4:7–9: Tychicus and Onesimus carry Paul’s letters to Colosse.
    3. Doctrine and Covenants 45:3–5: Jesus Christ, “the advocate with the Father.”

    Church leaders and Church resources

    1. President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Forgiveness”, general conference, October 2005.
    2. New Testament Student Manual, “1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon”, Gospel Library.
    3. New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual, “Philemon”, Gospel Library.

    Outside sources (labeled on the page)

    1. Strong’s 3682, Onēsimos, Bible Hub lexicon.

    Quotations checked against the linked pages on October 11, 2026. Scripture is quoted from the King James Version as published in the Gospel Library.

    “A brother beloved”

    Come home, and welcome others home. In Christ we are family. Philemon 1:16

    Back to this week: October 18–24 Earlier: Breastplate of Faith and Love Next story: Be Thou an Example All New Testament Story Sketch Notes
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    Philemon and Onesimus, ready to print $3.99

    Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.

    See the printable · $3.99All New Testament sketch notes

    Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The story is told in Philemon and Colossians 4; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.