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Easton's Bible Dictionary
An inhabitant of Colosse, and apparently a person of
some note among the citizens ( Colossians
4:9 ; Philemon
1:2 ). He was brought to a knowledge of the gospel through the instrumentality
of Paul (Philemon
1:19), and held a prominent place in the Christian community for his piety
and beneficence (Philemon
1:4 - 7).
He is called in the epistle a "fellow-labourer," and therefore probably held some
office in the church at Colosse; at all events, the title denotes that he took
part in the work of spreading a knowledge of the gospel.
Hitchcock's Dictionary of Bible Names
who kisses
Smith's Bible Dictionary
The name of the Christian to whom Paul addressed his
epistle in behalf of Onesimus. He was a native probably of Colosse, or at all
events lived in that city when the apostle wrote to him: first, because Onesimus
was a Colossian, ( Colossians
4:9 ) and secondly because Archippus was a Colossian, ( Colossians
4:17 ) whom Paul associates with Philemon at the beginning of his letter.
( Philemon
1:1 ,
2 ) It is related that Philemon became bishop of Colosse, and died as a martyr
under Nero. It is evident from the letter to him that Philemon was a man of property
and influence, since he is represented as the head of a numerous household, and
as exercising an expensive liberality toward his friends and the poor in general.
He was indebted to the apostle Paul as the medium of his personal participation
in the gospel. It is not certain under what circumstances they became known to
each other. It is evident that on becoming a disciple he gave no common proof
of the sincerity and power of his faith. His character as shadowed forth in the
epistle to him, is one of the noblest which the sacred record makes known to us.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
fi-le'-mon, fi-le'-mun (Philemon):
Among the converts of Paul, perhaps while at Ephesus, was one whom he calls a
"fellow-worker," Philemon (Philemon
1:1). He was probably a man of some means, was celebrated for his hospitality
(Philemon
1:5 -
7) and of considerable importance in the ecclesia at Colosse. It was at his
house (Philemon
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 (Philemon
1:2); and Archippus (Philemon
1:2) was no doubt his son. From Colossians
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 (Philemon
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
Tags:
asked by apostle paul to forgive run away slave, bible commentary, bible history, bible reference, bible study, bishop of colosse, christian, colossian, fellow-worker, onesimus, philemon, slave owner
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