Philemon Φιλήμων
Recipient of Paul's letter, Colossian slave owner
Biography
Philemon was a Christian from the city of Colossae to whom the Apostle Paul wrote a personal letter. The letter, which is included in the New Testament canon, deals with the situation of Onesimus, Philemon's slave who had run away and had subsequently become a Christian under Paul's ministry.
In the letter, Paul appeals to Philemon to receive Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a beloved brother in Christ. Paul emphasizes the transformation that has taken place in Onesimus' life and urges Philemon to demonstrate forgiveness and reconciliation.
Although the specific outcome of Paul's request is not recorded in the Bible, the letter provides valuable insights into the early Christian church's approach to social issues, such as slavery, and the transformative power of the gospel in personal relationships. The letter also demonstrates Paul's pastoral concern for both Onesimus and Philemon and his desire to see the principles of Christian love and unity applied in their situation.
In Scripture
1 biblical bookPhilemon 2 verses
- Philemon 1:1
"Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,"
- Philemon 1:25
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Φιλήμων | G5371 |
| (same form as previous) | Greek | Φιλήμων | G5371 |
Philemon
means, was celebrated for his hospitality (Phm 1:5-7) and of considerable importance in the ecclesia at Colosse. It was at his house (Phm 1:2) that the Colossian Christians met as a center. It is more than probable that this was a group of the Colossian church rather than the entire ekklesia. His wife was named Apphia (Phm 1:2); and Archippus (Phm 1:2) was no doubt his son. From Col 4:17 we learn that Archippus held an office of some importance in Colosse, whether he was a presbyter (Abbott, ICC), or an evangelist, or perhaps the reader (Zahn), we cannot tell. He is called here (Phm 1:2) Paul's "fellow-soldier."
The relation between the apostle and Philemon was so close and intimate that Paul does not hesitate to press him, on the basis of it, to forgive his slave, Onesimus, for stealing and for running away.
See PHILEMON, EPISTLE TO.
Tradition makes Philemon the bishop of Colosse (Apostolical Constitutions, vii, 46), and the Greek Martyrology (Menae) for November 22 tells us that he together with his wife and son and Onesimus were martyred by stoning before Androcles, the governor, in the days of Nero. With this the Latin Martyrology agrees (compare Lightfoot, Ignatius, II, 535). This evidence, however, is unsatisfactory and cannot be trusted as giving unquestionable facts as to Philemon. The only sure information is that in the epistle bearing his name.
Charles Smith Lewis
This most beautiful of all Paul's Epistles, and the most intensely human, is one of the so-called Captivity Epistles of which Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians are the others. Of these four <ref targ