5371. Philémón

Lexicon

Philémón: Philemon

Original Word: Φιλήμων
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Philémón
Pronunciation: fee-LAY-mone
Phonetic Spelling: (fil-ay'-mone)
Definition: Philemon
Meaning: Philemon, a Christian man of Colossae.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Philemon.

From phileo; friendly; Philemon, a Christian -- Philemon.

see GREEK phileo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from phileó
Definition
"kindly," Philemon, a Christian
NASB Translation
Philemon (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5371: Φιλημον

Φιλημον, Φιλημονος, ὁ, Philemon, of Colossae, converted to Christianity by Paul (Philemon 1:19), and the recipient of the lovely little letter which bears his name in the N. T.: Philemon 1:1. (BB. DD., under the word; especially Lightfoot's Commentary on Colossians and Philemon, Introduction.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb φιλέω (phileō), meaning "to love" or "to be fond of."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct Hebrew equivalents for the Greek name Philemon, as it is a proper noun specific to the New Testament context. However, the concept of love, which is central to Philemon's name and the epistle's message, can be related to the Hebrew word אָהַב (ahav), Strong's Hebrew 157, meaning "to love."

Usage: The name Philemon appears in the New Testament as the recipient of a letter from Paul. This letter is a personal appeal regarding Onesimus, a slave who had run away from Philemon but had since become a Christian.

Context: Philemon is a prominent figure in the New Testament, known primarily through the Epistle to Philemon, one of the Pauline epistles. He was a Christian leader in the early church, likely residing in Colossae, as inferred from the close association with the church there (Colossians 4:9). Philemon is described as a beloved fellow worker of Paul, indicating his active role in the Christian community.

The Epistle to Philemon is a personal letter from Paul, written during his imprisonment, traditionally believed to be in Rome. In this letter, Paul appeals to Philemon to receive Onesimus, a runaway slave who had become a Christian under Paul's mentorship. Paul emphasizes themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and Christian brotherhood, urging Philemon to welcome Onesimus not merely as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ.

The letter is notable for its tactful and heartfelt approach, showcasing Paul's pastoral care and his emphasis on the transformative power of the Gospel. It provides insight into the social dynamics of the early church, particularly concerning issues of slavery and Christian ethics.

Philemon's response to Paul's letter is not recorded in the New Testament, but the preservation of the letter suggests that it was well-received and that Philemon likely acted in accordance with Paul's request. The epistle remains a powerful testament to the principles of love, forgiveness, and equality in the body of Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

Φιλημονι Φιλήμονι Philemoni Philēmoni Philḗmoni

Englishman's Concordance

Philemon 1:1 N-DMS
GRK: ὁ ἀδελφὸς Φιλήμονι τῷ ἀγαπητῷ
NAS: our brother, To Philemon our beloved
KJV: [our] brother, unto Philemon our
INT: the brother to Philemon the beloved

Strong's Greek 5371
1 Occurrence

Φιλήμονι — 1 Occ.