Philemon Chapter 1
Philemon 1:1-3 The salutation.
Philemon 1:4-7 Paul declareth his joy in hearing of the love and
faith of Philemon,
Philemon 1:8-21 earnestly entreating him to receive into his favour
his once fugitive servant Onesimus, now become a
faithful Christian.
Philemon 1:22 He desireth him to provide a lodging for himself, who
was in expectation of a speedy release,
Philemon 1:23-25 and concludeth with salutations and a benediction.
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ; that is, for the sake of Christ, for the gospel, and for preaching of Jesus Christ.
And Timothy our brother; from whence it is evident that Timothy was come to Paul at Rome, according to his desire, 2 Timothy 4:9,21, before this Epistle was written, which manifesteth that Second Epistle not to have been the last he wrote. The apostle useth to join some others with himself in his salutation; Sosthenes, 1 Corinthians 1:1 Timothy; 2 Corinthians 1:1 Philippians 1:1 Colossians 1:1 1 Thessalonians 1:1, where Silvanus also is added; from whence it appeareth that Timothy was Paul's ordinary companion, and the apostle showeth his humility in joining the name of so young a man with his own.
Fellow labourer; whence we gather that Philemon was not a Christian only, but a minister, probably one of the ministers in Colosse in Phrygia, for it appeareth that Onesimus his servant was a Colossian, Colossians 4:9.