This is the shortest book in the New Testament, written by the Apostle Paul to Philemon from prison in Rome around 63 A.D.

Philemon was from Colossae.

Some believe that he was a leader because he had a church in his house.

This letter was sent along with the Colossian letter by the hand of Tychicus and Onesimus.  

The apostle Paul first begins with a greeting, and then some commendations, and then he states his instructions and request, which is that Philemon would receive his runaway slave Onesimus who had run away to Rome.

In the Roman Empire, the free were outnumbered by the slaves about 20 to 1. Some were born slaves, some were forced slaves, some were orphaned slaves, while others sold themselves into slavery to survive.

A slave could save up and purchase their freedom and Roman citizenship.

Paul’s letter to Philemon is a personal intercession, which remind us of Christ’s intercession before the Father on our behalf.