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.

New Testament A Christian (probably living in Colossae) whose slave escaped and went to see Saint Paul.

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.