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Paul . . . and Timothy: Or “From Paul . . . and Timothy.” Paul is the writer of this letter to Philemon, but he includes Timothy in the opening greeting, as he does in other letters. (2Co 1:1; Col 1:1; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1) When Paul wrote the letter during his first imprisonment in Rome, Timothy was with him. (See study note on Php 1:1.) Philemon may have known Timothy, who was with Paul in Ephesus when the good news spread to cities in the same region, including Colossae.​—Ac 19:22; 1Co 4:17; 16:8-10; see App. B13; see also study note on 1Co 16:9.

a prisoner: In many of his letters, Paul describes himself as “an apostle” of Christ Jesus. (See, for example, 1Co 1:1; Eph 1:1; Col 1:1; 1Ti 1:1; Tit 1:1.) Here, though, he does not mention that title. He apparently wants to avoid pressuring Philemon to obey him because of his position. Paul aptly chooses the word “prisoner,” described in one reference work as “a designation which would touch his friend’s heart.” It would remind Philemon of Paul’s stressful situation, perhaps preparing Philemon to respond sympathetically to the personal appeal made later in the letter.​—Phm 9-12, 17.

a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus: Lit., “a prisoner of Christ Jesus.” Paul is a captive in Rome because of being a follower of Christ.​—Phm 9; see study note on 2Ti 1:8.

Philemon our beloved fellow worker: Philemon was a Christian in the congregation in Colossae, a city in the province of Asia. (Col 4:9) It may be that Paul introduced him to Christianity. (Phm 19) Although Paul did not preach in Colossae, he could have met Philemon in Ephesus when “all those living in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” (Ac 19:10) Philemon did not accompany the apostle on his missionary travels, but Paul considered him a fellow worker because he helped to spread the good news.​—See study notes on Ro 16:3; 1Co 3:9.