Faithful Friend Φιλήμων (Strong’s G5371: Philemon) Models Messiah’s Transforming Love

Strong’s G5371: From φιλέω (phileō); Philemon was a wealthy Colossian convert and slave owner who hosted a house church. His name means “affectionate” or “one who kisses,” highlighting themes of loving friendship. Notable for receiving Paul’s personal letter regarding the runaway slave Onesimus.

U – Unveiling the Word

Φιλήμων (Philemon) embodies the concept of affectionate friendship and brotherly love, derived from the verb φιλέω (phileō). The name carries profound significance in the New Testament as it belongs to a wealthy Christian convert who demonstrated remarkable hospitality by hosting a house church in Colossae. His narrative intersects with themes of transformation, reconciliation, and Christian love in action. The early church recognized Philemon’s story as a powerful example of how the gospel reshapes social relationships and breaks down barriers. Today, Philemon’s name continues to remind believers that genuine Christian fellowship transcends social status and demonstrates practical love that reflects our Messiah’s heart.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: Φιλήμων, Philēmōn, fil-AY-mone
• Pronunciation Guide: fee-LAY-moan (φι as in “fee,” λη as in “lay,” μων as in “moan”)
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun (Masculine)

Etymology:

• Root: φιλέω (phileō) – to love, to show affection
• Suffix: -μων (-mōn) – forms agent nouns, indicating “one who does”
• Combined meaning: “loving one” or “affectionate one”

D – Defining Meanings

• One who shows affection
• One who kisses (in greeting)
• Loving friend

For compound words: The name combines the root φιλέω (phileō) with the agentive suffix -μων (-mōn), creating a name that describes someone characterized by affectionate love.

Translation Options:

• Affectionate One – captures the active sense of showing love
• Loving Friend – emphasizes the relational aspect
• Kisser – literal but less commonly used meaning

E – Exploring Similar Words

• φίλος (philos) [FEE-los] – friend, loved one
  See G5384
• φιλία (philia) [fil-EE-ah] – friendship, affection
  See G5373
• φιλέω (phileō) [fil-EH-oh] – to love, show affection
  See G5368

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a proper noun, Φιλήμων follows these morphological patterns:

• Case: Nominative, Vocative, Accusative, Genitive, Dative
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Third declension

Example declensions:

• Nominative: Φιλήμων (Philemon)
• Genitive: Φιλήμονος (of Philemon)
• Dative: Φιλήμονι (to/for Philemon)
• Accusative: Φιλήμονα (direct object)
• Vocative: Φιλήμον (addressing Philemon)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The major lexicons provide rich insights into Φιλήμων’s significance. BDAG identifies him as a Christian in Colossae and recipient of Paul’s letter, while emphasizing his status as a householder and slave owner. Thayer’s highlights the connection between his name’s meaning and his demonstrated character. LSJ notes the name’s usage in broader Greek culture as indicating affection and warmth. Vine’s connects the name to the broader word family of φιλέω, emphasizing its connection to friendship love. Moulton and Milligan provide papyri evidence showing the name’s common usage among both slaves and free persons in the Hellenistic world, adding depth to the social dynamics in Paul’s letter.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

Philemon 1:1 “Paul, a prisoner of Messiah Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To [Φιλήμων] Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker”

Additional References:
Philemon 1:1

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Φιλήμων represents more than just a name in the New Testament; it embodies the transformation that occurs when the gospel touches every aspect of life. Through Paul’s letter to him, we see how the Messiah’s love reshapes relationships, transcends social boundaries, and creates true brotherhood in the faith. His story demonstrates that the good news of King Jesus has practical implications for how we treat others, especially those society might consider beneath us. The reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus prefigures the broader reconciliation the Messiah brings to humanity.

D – Did You Know?

• Philemon is the only private letter of Paul preserved in the New Testament
• The name Φιλήμων was common among both slaves and free persons in ancient Greek culture
• The letter to Philemon is the shortest of Paul’s canonical epistles

Strong’s G5371: From φιλέω (phileō); Philemon was a wealthy Colossian convert and slave owner who hosted a house church. His name means “affectionate” or “one who kisses,” highlighting themes of loving friendship. Notable for receiving Paul’s personal letter regarding the runaway slave Onesimus.

Part of speech: Proper Noun

Tags: friendship, love, reconciliation, house church, Colossae, Paul, Onesimus, slavery, transformation, hospitality, phileo​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​