Prison Epistle, 18th book of the New Testament.
Author: The apostle Paul and Timothy (directly named in Philemon 1:1). Paul is considered the main author.
Audience: Written to Philemon, an affluent Christian in the city of Colossae, located in modern-day southwestern Turkey. This man was a member of the Colossian church that met in his own home. Mentioned in the book’s second verse, Apphia was likely Philemon’s wife, while Archippus was his son (he is also mentioned in Colossian 4:17). Both are described in ways which suggest all three family members had become believers. Philemon was wealthy enough to own a home large enough for church meetings, as well as at least one slave named Onesimus. This slave is the main concern in the letter. He and the church members in Colossae knew Luke (writer of Luke and Acts, see Colossians 4:14), as well as Epaphras, who was apparently from Colossae (Colossians 4:12). The church also had close connections with churches in Laodicea and a church led by Nympha (Colossians 4:15–16). They also appear to have known, at least by name, Aristarchus, Mark, Barnabas, and Jesus called Justus (Colossians 4:10), as well as Timothy (Philemon 1:1).
Date: Approximately AD 60—62, during Paul’s house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30–31). Based on information from Colossians and Philemon 1:22, this letter was probably written near the end of this arrest, closer to AD 62.