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The letter to Philemon is the shortest of Paul’s letters. Also, it is more closely related to an ordinary personal and private correspondence compared to other Pauline letters that are primarily addressed to groups. As the letters to Timothy and Titus, this letter is addressed to an individual. However, the letter to Philemon possesses a different tone (e.g. general instructions to communicators vs. an appeal to the grace orientation of an individual). Here, Paul functions as an intermediary between a master and his slave. In this regard, Paul displays sensitivity and tact when dealing with a potentially volatile situation.

Colossians 4:1-6 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.

Colossians 3:1-5 If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

Colossians 2:1-3 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf, and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 to the set apart and faithful brothers in Christ in Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

The epistle to the believers in Colossae was written by the apostle Paul during his first Roman imprisonment (ca. 61 AD). Paul’s primary purpose in writing this epistle was to refute the heretical teaching which had arisen in Colossae and neighboring cities. The teaching was primarily a hybrid mixture of paganism, human philosophy, and Jewish ritual.