In Paul’s little letter to Philemon in the first two verses we understand that it was written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome described in Acts chapter 28:30-31. It is the only place in the New Testament where Philemon’s name is mentioned.
When we compare Paul’s 13 other letters we discover a tone in this letter that doesn’t appear but four times. In 9 of those letters, Paul calls himself an apostle in the introduction but here he refers to himself as their friend, as he writes this letter as a friend. Also unusual is this letter is addressed to Philemon and his wife Apphia but it makes perfect sense as she would have been the supervisor of the household slaves. Some assume that Archippus was their son but there is no evidence of that and it is more than likely that Archippus was an elder who took the place of Epaphras who had gone to Rome to help Paul.
Paul reminded them that he was a prisoner not of Rome (though he was under house arrest), but rather Paul said that his present condition was at the request of Jesus Christ. What a difference in perspective when we see ourselves not as victims of cruel circumstances, but rather as House Guests of a Benevolent King! We all could use a seat looking out the window where Paul gained such a view of life!