Philemon 1:1-3

Greetings

Though Paul was a prisoner of Rome, he considered his bonds to be a means of furthering Christ's cause (Philemon 1:1; Philemon 1:9-10; Philemon 1:22-23; 1 Peter 1:12-14). Timothy was with Paul at the time of writing. He may have written down the apostle's words as he dictated them to him. This, the shortest of all Paul's letters is primarily written to a Christian man and his family. Philemon's name means "beloved." Paul calls him beloved out of respect for this man of God. He also identifies him as a fellow laborer because of his efforts to advance the cause of Christ. Apphia was certainly a Christian and likely was the wife of Philemon. Archippus appears to have been their son. He was a gospel preacher in the city of Laodicea (Philemon 1:1-2; Colossians 4:16-17).

The aging apostle greeted the church meeting in Philemon's house. Paul desired God's unmerited favor for them. He also wanted them to have the peace of mind that comes with that grace. Of course, Jesus was God's means of delivering grace and peace to man (Philemon 1:3; Luke 2:14; 1 Peter 4:6-7).