Philemon 1:1-3 “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Many scholars believe that this letter was written during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome around 61 A. D. If that is the case, then Paul was a prisoner in a very literal sense. However, Paul makes it abundantly clear here that he did not see himself as a prisoner of men. He is demonstrating a complete trust in the power of Jesus Christ to lead and direct his life. A great peace is ours when we have complete confidence that God never leaves us or forsakes us. That peace deepens with the understanding that He is not only with us but is also leading us in paths of righteousness (Psa 23:3). When our faith has matured to this ...