This book is simply the Bible story about Onesimus, the runaway slave owned by Philemon. And Onesimus needed an endorsement letter from Paul just to be received back by his owner. Scholars says that the fact we have the letter in the New Testament meant that Philemon did not tear it up and at the very least accepted Onesimus back. That is where the New Testament ends, but if tradition is to be considered, Onesimus may have gone on to become Bishop of Ephesus. In this day, that would be the same as mentoring your househelp to eventually become the Pope! Knowing the reality of a "class struggle" it makes one wonder how Philemon understood and applied "no longer a slave but a beloved brother." (Philemon 16)