Philemon is one of only five Bible books that contain only one chapter. The other four are Obadiah, 2John, 3John and Jude.
Philemon is one of five of Paul's fourteen books that do not label or call him an apostle. It is also one of six books he wrote where he mentions his best friend and fellow evangelist Timothy in its first verse (1Thessalonians, 2Thessalonians, 2Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon).
The Apostle Paul is believed to have started nine known churches (Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth and Ephesus). He also highly likely founded fellowships in Tarsus, Athens, Cenchrea and Troas. Colosse, however, where Philemon lives, was not started by him as he had not visited the city (Colossians 2:1).
Two of the people serving Paul while he is in prison are fellow Biblical authors Mark and Luke. Both of them, of course, wrote one of the four gospel accounts. They were also both, unlike Matthew and John, not one of Jesus' personally selected disciples.
[When Was the New Testament Written?]
The most productive writing period during the Apostle Paul's ministry took place between 61 and 63 A.D. During this time, while awaiting trial in Rome, he penned the books of Hebrews, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon! After his release in early 63, and before the year ended, he wrote the books of 1Timothy and Titus as well!
Philemon does not contain any direct quotes from the Old Testament and does not discuss doctrine.
Philemon is one of four New Testament books named after a person who was not the author. The other three books are 1 and 2 Timothy as well as Titus.
Titles and Names
Paul, in his writings, gives the honorable title of "fellow prisoner" to just two men. The first is Aristarchus (Colossians 4:10) and the second is Epaphras (Philemon 1:23).
Although Epaphras is only labeled a fellow prisoner in Philemon, Colossians reveals that he was a preacher whose home was in Colosse where Philemon lived (Colossians 1:7, 4:12).
The Apostle Paul mentions ten people by name in the span of only 24 verses! They are Timothy and Philemon (verse 1), Apphia and Archippus (verse 2), Onesimus (verse 10), Epaphras (verse 23), Mark (John Mark), Aristarchus, Demas and Luke (verse 24).
Timothy's name means "honoring God" or "dear to God" (Strong's Concordance, Thayer's Greek Definitions #G5095). Philemon means "one who kisses" (#G5371), Apphia is "fruitful" (#G682), Archippus is "master of the horse" (#G751), Onesimus is "profitable" (#G3682) and Epaphras is "lovely" (#G1889).
The last four names are Mark, which means "a defense" (#G3138), Aristarchus is "the best ruler" (#G708), Demas is "governor of the people" (#G1214), and lastly Luke means "light-giving" (#G3065).
Paul's Persuasion
Paul used several different tactics to soften Philemon's response to his runaway slave Onesimus.
Paul praises Philemon's faith and loving service of the church especially when it comes to hosting a fellowship in his home (Philemon 1:2, 4 - 7).
The apostle mentions his respect for Philemon is such that, instead of commanding him to do what is right, he asks him to do so in Christian love (verses 9, 14). He also states he would not do anything regarding Onesimus without his consent.
Paul brings God into the picture by postulating that maybe He used Onesimus' disobedience as a means to turn him into a Christian (verse 15).
Paul uses his leverage as an apostle to ask that Philemon treat his slave like he was Paul himself (verse 17).
The apostle promises, in his own handwriting, to cover any losses caused by Onesimus (verses 18 - 19).
Paul's reward for Philemon's obedience is to promise to visit him as soon as he is freed (verse 22).
The Abandoned Apostle
Paul, in Philemon, lists a man named Demas as one of several who was helping him during his first imprisonment in Rome (Philemon 1:24). This imprisonment took place from 61 to 63 A.D., after which the apostle was released to carry out his final missionary journey.
[Paul's Final Missionary Journey Map]
Demas, however, would later abandon the apostle during his second imprisonment in Rome. In the last book he would write, 2Timothy, Paul encourages Timothy to visit him as soon as possible and then mentions what happened to Demas.
Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica . . . (2Timothy 4:9 - 10).
The meaning of "loved this present world" in regard to Demas is a bit vague. Did he abandon Paul to strictly pursue the freedom and momentary pleasures of this world? Or did he leave to avoid being found out as a Christian and suffering the same privations, as well as ultimate fate, as the apostle?
Whether Demas, the faithful helper named in Philemon, repented of leaving Paul is unknown.
"But how far his forsaking was, whether total from his work and profession, or partial only, and whether he repented and returned to his duty, scripture is silent, and so should we be . . ." (Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible).
What Happened to Onesimus?
Onesimus, according to Roman Catholic tradition, died around 107 A.D. The Catholics believe before his death he may have served as a bishop of Byzantium or sat on the episcopal throne in Ephesus. Tradition further states he was imprisoned by Rome and died a martyr either by stoning or being beheaded (Wikipedia on Onesimus).
[How Are Catholic Bibles Different?]
The Orthodox Church in America also has a tradition about Onesimus' death. They believe, prior to his demise, he served as the bishop of Ephesus. Then, during Emperor Trajan's reign, he was arrested and placed in a Puteoli prison. In 109 A.D. He died a martyr's death when he was stoned and then beheaded.
What Happened to Philemon?
Roman Catholic tradition states that Philemon was eventually made the bishop of Colosse. It also asserts that he eventually met a martyrs' death. He died, according to tradition, in the company of Apphia, Archippus, and Onesimus in Colosse during the first general persecution of Christians carried out by Emperor Nero (1913 Catholic Encyclopedia on Philemon).
[Where Did the Pope Get His Title?]
Only one of the four gospel accounts mentions Jesus sending out seventy disciples on an evangelistic training mission (Luke 10:1 - 17). A list purporting to name all these seventy disciples, attributed to Dorotheus of Tyre, came into existence some time before 811 A.D. Philemon, who is on the list, is recorded as being the bishop of the city of Gaza (Wikipedia article on Philemon).