Philemon

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Philemon , letter of the New Testament, written to a Colossian named Philemon by Paul , probably when the latter was a prisoner in Rome (c.AD 60). Onesimus, Philemon's fugitive slave, had found Paul and become a Christian. Paul sent him back to his master with a personal note adjuring the Christian master to accept Onesimus not merely as a slave but as a brother. Onesimus' name means "useful" in Greek. Philemon, the shortest of the Pauline letters, is thought by some scholars to have been written at the same time as the (probably pseudonymous) Colossians and Ephesians . The names Mark, Aristarchus, and Demas occur in both Philemon and Colossians.

Philemon. The recipient of St Paul's brief epistle of that name. He was a Christian of Colossae or the neighbourhood, whose slave, Onesimus, had run away and had met Paul. Paul sent Onesimus back to his master with this letter, which is a plea for his forgiveness. According to tradition Philemon was martyred. Feast day, 22 Nov.

Philemon , c.360-c.265 BC, Greek poet of the New Comedy. He was in ancient times considered second only to Menander . Fragments of his plays, originally numbering 97, survive.

Philemon in Greek mythology, husband of Baucis.

Philemon (friarbird) See MELIPHAGIDAE.

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