Written by Paul, the book of Philemon is uniquely personal. In this letter, Paul is addressing a friend on behalf of a runaway slave. Paul refers to himself as a “slave of Christ” as he urges Philemon to “do what you ought to do.” In a single chapter, Paul paints a picture of a radically different social order, and he undermines the entire system of slavery in only a few short words. Furthermore, Paul depicts a sort of heavenly family dynamic that is devoid of hierarchy or class—instead it is fully submitted to the will of God.