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Philemon

Philemon

1 9.9
A short New Testament letter from Paul asking forgiveness for a runaway slave
  • proper noun
  • /faɪˈliːmən/
  • Literature
translation icon : Filemón
  • The teachings in Philemon encourage believers to treat each other as equals, regardless of social status.

Examples

  • There's also the story of Onesimus in the Book of Philemon, who was a runaway slave that Paul sent back to his master, but with a letter encouraging him to take back Onesimus as his equal, no longer as his slave.

    Blog text (25)
  • I also believe that many fundamentalists in America misread Paul's epistles on slavery, especially Ephesians and Philemon.

    Blog text (29)
  • This "Summary" was then taken entirely into the English translation of 1603 by Philemon Holland.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Paul's letter to Philemon was used to demonstrate divine sanction for slavery.

    Academic text (1994)
  • If you add to that a full reading of the book of Philemon, you'll notice that his real thrust isn't to leave chattel slavery as an unbreakable institution but rather to transform it into a form of spiritual adoption, where the slaves are treated as members of the family.

    Blog text (29)
  • In the book of Philemon, Paul appeals to his friend for the forgiveness of Onesimus, a runaway slave.

  • Many scholars believe that Paul's letter to Philemon emphasizes Christian love and forgiveness.

Synonyms

A short letter in the Christian Bible from Paul asking Philemon to forgive his runaway slave

is the common short title without the extra name or formal phrasing
Epistle to Philemon
vsPhilemon
9.9

A short book in the New Testament where Paul asks for forgiveness for a runaway slave

is the simpler book name focusing on the forgiveness request

Compounds

A short letter in the Christian Bible from Paul asking Philemon to forgive his runaway slave

A short book in the New Testament where Paul asks for forgiveness for a runaway slave

Surface Forms

Philemon main

Etymology

The book Philemon is named after a man whose name comes from Greek phil- meaning 'love' or 'friend', and that suits the short, personal letter where Paul asks for kindness and forgiveness.