Philemon
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(loving; Philem. 1)—a prominent Christian associated with Colossae and the recipient of Paul’s short letter concerning Onesimus. A church met in his house; Paul addresses Apphia as “our sister” and Archippus as “our fellow soldier” (Philem. 1–2; compare Col. 4:9, 17). Paul speaks of Philemon’s love, faith, and hospitality and appeals to him to receive Onesimus no longer merely as a bondservant but as a beloved brother. Later tradition numbers Philemon among the Seventy Apostles, makes him bishop of Colossae, and remembers him as a martyr; those details lie outside the New Testament.