* This book is a letter that Paul wrote to a man named Philemon.
* **Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon** - Your language may have a particular way of introducing the authors of a letter. This could be translated as “We, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother, write this letter to Philemon.”
* **a prisoner of Christ Jesus** - "who is in prison for teaching about Jesus Christ." People who did not like Jesus punished Paul by putting him in prison.
* **our beloved brother** - "our dear fellow believer" or "our spiritual brother whom we love"
* **our fellow-soldier** - soldier** - Here "soldier" is a metaphor that describes a person who struggles to spread the Gospel. This may be translated as "our fellow-spiritual warrior" or "who also fights the spiritual battle with us." (See: [[en:ta:vol1:translate:figs_metaphor]])
* **the church in your house** - "the group of believers that meets in your house" (UDB)
* **your house** - The word "your" is singular and refers to Philemon.
* **Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ** - "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace." This is a blessing. The word "you" is plural and refers to all the people Paul greeted in verses 1 and 2.