PHILEMON (phi-le'mon), (Gr. ,INX4p.wp, fil-ay' mone, a ffectionate).
A rich citizen of Colosse, in Phrygia, who was converted to the Christian faith, with Apphia his wife.hy Epaphras, a disciple of Paul ; but it would appear from the expression in Philem. verse 19, 'that Philemon was really a convert of Paul; unless we could admit that the apostle had for merly been the means of saving his life ; for which we have no warrant. (A. D. 57.) Some have supposed that Archippus was son to Phile mon ; and as the apostle terms him, "our fellow soldier," it is possible, that the connection had been of long standing, and consequently, much in tercourse might have taken place between Paul and Philemon, distinct from any reference to Philemon's situation at Colosse.
Though it is usually said that Paul had con verted and baptized Onesimus, the runaway slave of Philemon (see ONEsimus), at Rome, yet from the phrase (Col. iv :9) "who is one of you," it is natural to infer that Onesimus had professed Christianity before his elopement (so Epaphras is called one of themselves, chap. i :7.) ; otherwise, he could be no member of the church at Colosse: and very likely, this transgression of a professor had not only mortified Philemon extremely, but had scandalized the church, and had become pub licly notorious among the heathen also.
Philemon was undoubtedly a man of property; and like Gaius, the lady Eclecta, and Phcebe, he exercised great hospitality towards Christian brethren. especially evangelists. But from the di rection of the apostle "to prepare him a lodging" (comp. Macknight, et al, in loc.) in a hired house, in the city, where he might receive all visitors, it would appear that Philemon's premises were not very extensive.
Philemon might have been a deacon in or of the churches at Colosse, but the term "fellow la borer" is not sufficient to prove that he was a bishop; though it implies a previous personal knowledge, and perhaps much confidential com munication, between the parties. If we might add a personal knowledge of Philemon, by those also who salute him in Paul's letter,—Timothy, Epaphras, NIark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke,—it would greatly heighten our conception of this good man's character, and suggest a variety of occasions on which he might have rendered the brethren services equally extensive and important. His house at Colosse was shown in the time of Theodoret and tradition represents him as bishop of that city and as having suffered martyrdom.