"Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?"
Biblical Name · Greek Origin
Philemon Meaning in the Bible
Philemon
boy
Philemon means "Loving; Affectionate", a boy's name of Greek origin. Philemon appears in the King James Bible, and Philemon 1:16 is the passage most often tied to it. Philemon's name — 'loving' — was tested by Paul's radical request. His story challenges us to let the Gospel transform our relationships, seeing others not by worldly status but as beloved siblings in Christ.
Is Philemon in the Bible?
Yes — Philemon appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Pronunciation:/fih-LEE-mun/
OriginGreek
MeaningLoving; Affectionate
What does Philemon mean?
Philemon is a boy name of Greek origin meaning "Loving; Affectionate". Philemon means "loving" or "affectionate" in Greek. He was a wealthy Christian in Colossae whose house served as a meeting place for the church.
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Editor’s reflection
A slave-owner who got a letter asking him to take his runaway back as a brother.
Philemon is Greek, from philema, 'a kiss,' and the phileō family of words for love and affection — so 'affectionate' or 'loving.' It was a known Greek name long before the New Testament, carried in mythology by the old husband in the story of Philemon and Baucis.
The biblical Philemon is a wealthy Christian at Colossae with a church meeting in his house (Philemon 1:2). Paul writes him the shortest and most personal letter in the New Testament about Onesimus, a slave who had run away and since become a Christian under Paul's ministry in prison.
Paul does not command — he says he could, and then declines: 'for love's sake I rather beseech thee' (Philemon 1:9). He asks Philemon to receive Onesimus 'not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved' (Philemon 1:16), and offers to pay any debt himself. The letter never abolishes slavery in so many words; it makes it unlivable between two Christians.
The name is rare in English and reads scholarly. Phil is the only natural short form, shared with Philip.
“Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved.”
What does Philemon mean in the Bible?
Philemon means "Loving; Affectionate" and is a name of Greek origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Philemon means "loving" or "affectionate" in Greek. He was a wealthy Christian in Colossae whose house served as a meeting place for the church. Paul's letter to Philemon is the shortest of his epistles and deals with the topic of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Paul wrote to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who had become a Christian under Paul's ministry in prison. Paul appealed to Philemon to receive Onesimus back "not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved" — a revolutionary request that challenged the social norms of the ancient world.
The letter to Philemon is a masterpiece of persuasion, tact, and grace. It demonstrates how the Gospel transforms human relationships, breaking down barriers of class and status.
Where does Philemon appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Philemon is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Philemon 1:16. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Philemon?
Philemon has 3 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Which books of the Bible mention Philemon?
Philemon is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Philemon?
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Promises connected to the meaning of the name Philemon:
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What names are related to Philemon?
Names like Philemon
Other Greek biblical names that share the spirit of "Loving; Affectionate" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Philemon
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Philemon
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Philemon name meaning: frequently asked questions
Paul writes to Philemon, a Christian slave-owner, asking him to receive back Onesimus — a slave who ran away and then became a believer — 'not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved' (Philemon 1:16). It is the shortest of Paul's letters and the most personal.
Yes — Philemon appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Philemon means "Loving; Affectionate." It is a Greek name. The King James Bible uses it, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Philemon
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Philemon?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Philemon?
You can read every verse where Philemon appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.