Philemon

fih-LEE-mun

A wealthy Christian in Colossae whose house church met in his home, and the owner of Onesimus, whom Paul urges him to receive back as a brother rather than punish as a runaway slave.

Life and work

Philemon appears to have been a person of some means in Colossae — well-off enough to own at least one enslaved person and to host a church in his house. Paul addresses him warmly as 'our beloved fellow worker,' thanking God for the reports of Philemon's love and faith and the refreshment his generosity had brought to fellow believers (Philemon 1:1-7).

The entire letter is Paul's careful, personal appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus — not a command but a request 'for love's sake,' asking him to receive his runaway back as a brother in Christ rather than exact the punishment slavery-holding culture would have expected, and even hinting Philemon might do 'even more than I say' (Philemon 1:8-21).

Occupation: Wealthy householder; host of a house church.
Places: Colossae.

Extra-biblical evidence

No extra-biblical record of Philemon survives outside Paul's letter to him.

Scripture references

Philemon 1:1-7 — Paul greets Philemon and commends his faith and love
Philemon 1:8-21 — Paul appeals for Onesimus to be received as a brother

More people

Capstone Bible is a free interactive study app — a map of every place in this library, a zoomable timeline of biblical and church history, the Bible text with every name in it linked to its article, reading plans and personal notes.

Open Capstone Bible