Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
A prisoner of Christ Jesus (desmiov Xristou Ihsou). As verse Philemon 1:9 and in Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 4:1. Old adjective from desmov (bond, dew, to bind). Apparently used here on purpose rather than apostolov as more effective with Philemon and a more touching occasion of pride as Paul writes with his manacled right hand.
Timothy (Timoqeov). With Paul in Ephesus (Acts 19:22) and probably known to Philemon. Associated with Paul also in I and II Thess., II Cor., Philipp., Col.
To Philemon (Filhmoni). A resident of Colossae and a convert of Paul's (verse Philemon 1:19), perhaps coming to Ephesus while Paul was there when his ministry had so much influence over the province of Asia (Acts 19:9 f., Acts 19:26; I Corinthians 16:19). The name Philemon occurs in the legend of Baucis and Philemon (Ovid's Metamorphoses), but with no connection with the brother here. He was active in the church in Colossae ("our co-worker," sunergw hmwn) and was beloved (agaphtw) by Paul.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Philemon 1:1:
Romans 1:1
2 Timothy 1:8
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