An inhabitant of Colosse, and apparently a person of some note among the citizens #Col 4:9 Phm 1:2 He was brought to a knowledge of the gospel through the instrumentality of Paul #Phm 1:19 and held a prominent place in the Christian community for his piety and beneficence #Phm 1:4-7 

He is called in the epistle a "fellow-laborer," and therefore probably held some office in the church at Colosse; at all events, the title denotes that he took part in the work of spreading a knowledge of the gospel.

Was written from Rome at the same time as the epistles to the Colossians and Ephesians, and was sent also by Onesimus. 

It was addressed to Philemon and the members of his family. 

It was written for the purpose of interceding for Onesimus (q.v.), who had deserted his master Philemon and been "unprofitable" to him. Paul had found Onesimus at Rome, and had there been instrumental in his conversion, and now he sends him back to his master with this letter. 

This epistle has the character of a strictly private letter, and is the only one of such epistles preserved to us. "It exhibits the apostle in a new light. He throws off as far as possible his apostolic dignity and his fatherly authority over his converts. He speaks simply as Christian to Christian. He speaks, therefore, with that peculiar grace of humility and courtesy which has, under the reign of Christianity, developed the spirit of chivalry and what is called ‘the character of a gentleman,’ certainly very little known in the old Greek and Roman civilization" (Dr. Barry).

#Jer 2:14 (A.V.), but not there found in the original. In #Re 18:13 the word "slaves" is the rendering of a Greek word meaning "bodies." 

The Hebrew and Greek words for slave are usually rendered simply "servant," "bondman," or "bondservant." Slavery as it existed under the Mosaic law has no modern parallel. That law did not originate but only regulated the already existing custom of slavery #Ex 21:20,21,26,27 Le 25:44-46 Jos 9:6-27 The gospel in its spirit and genius is hostile to slavery in every form, which under its influence is gradually disappearing from among men.