philemon meaning and definition

PHILEMON noun

Definition of Philemon (noun)

1. (Greek mythology) a simple countryman who offered hospitality to Zeus and Hermes when they came to earth without revealing their identities in order to test people's piety
2. (New Testament) a Christian (probably living in Colossae) whose slave escaped and went to see Saint Paul
3. a New Testament book containing an epistle from Saint Paul to Philemon asking Philemon to forgive the slave for escaping
   • synonyms: Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Philemon, Epistle to Philemon