[fi-lee-muh
n, fahy-] 
| 1. | an Epistle written by Paul. Abbreviation: Phil. |
| 2. | a person who was probably a convert of Paul and to whom this Epistle is addressed. |
| Phi·le·mon 1 (fĭ-lē'mən, fī-) n. Abbr. Philem. or Phlm. or Phm See Table at Bible. |
| Phi·le·mon 2 (fĭ-lē'mən, fī-) n. Greek Mythology A Phrygian peasant who together with his wife Baucis received with great hospitality Zeus and Hermes disguised as men. The gods rewarded the couple by turning their humble cottage into a temple and by turning them in their old age into intertwining linden and oak trees. |
Philemon
an inhabitant of Colosse, and apparently a person of some note among the citizens (Col. 4:9; Philemon 1:2). He was brought to a knowledge of the gospel through the instrumentality of Paul (19), and held a prominent place in the Christian community for his piety and beneficence (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.
Philemon
poet of the Athenian New Comedy, elder contemporary and successful rival of Menander
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