Philemon
“Affectionate; loving”
Summary
Philemon was a wealthy Christian of Colosse, a convert of Paul, and the recipient of Paul's epistle interceding for his runaway slave Onesimus.
☩Background
Philemon was a native and resident of Colosse, as evidenced by Onesimus being a Colossian (Colossians 4:9) and Archippus being connected to the Colossian church (Colossians 4:17). Theodoret states that Philemon's house was pointed out in Colosse as late as the 5th century. He was likely converted through Paul's ministry, perhaps during the apostle's extended stay at Ephesus when 'all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord' (Acts 19:10). Paul says Philemon owes his very self to him (Philemon 19), indicating Paul was instrumental in his conversion.
☩Character and Ministry
Philemon was a man of considerable means, heading a large household and exercising generous hospitality toward fellow believers. Paul commends him for 'love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and all saints,' testifying that 'the hearts of the saints were refreshed' by him (Philemon 5-7). A gathering of Christians (an ekklesia) met in his house, making him the host of a house church (Philemon 2). Apphia, mentioned alongside him, was likely his wife, and Archippus, whom Paul calls a 'fellow-soldier,' was probably his son who held some office in the Colossian church (Colossians 4:17).
☩Paul's Appeal
The epistle to Philemon concerns Onesimus, a slave who had apparently stolen from his master and fled to Rome, where he encountered Paul and was converted. Paul appeals to Philemon's well-known generosity and Christian character to receive Onesimus back—not merely as a slave, but as 'a brother beloved, both in the flesh and in the Lord' (Philemon 16). Paul expresses confidence that Philemon will do 'even more than I say' (Philemon 21), and offers to repay any debt Onesimus owes. Such Christian masters, treating their slaves as brothers, mitigated the evils of slavery and paved the way for its eventual abolition.
☩Later Tradition
According to tradition preserved in the Apostolic Constitutions, Philemon became bishop of Colosse. The Greek Martyrology states that he, along with his wife Apphia, son Archippus, and Onesimus, were martyred by stoning during Nero's reign. While these traditions cannot be verified from Scripture, Philemon's character as depicted in Paul's letter—generous, hospitable, forgiving, and faithful—represents one of the noblest characters in the sacred record.
Related Verses1 mention
Philemon· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Philemon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Philemon," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Philemon," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).