Philemon study section
Philemon word studies
A handful of Greek words carry the theology of Philemon. Tap the speaker next to any word to hear it pronounced.
Key words
κοινωνία (koinōnia): “Partnership, Fellowship”
Usage: Philemon 6, 17
Meaning: Fellowship, partnership, sharing in common. Paul prays that Philemon’s “sharing of your faith” may be effective, and asks him to receive Onesimus “as you would receive me,” as a partner.
Theological Significance: Believers share a koinōnia that binds them together in Christ, so that to welcome one is to welcome all who are in Him. This fellowship is the basis of Paul’s whole appeal (Philemon 17; 1 John 1:3).
ἀγάπη (agapē): “Love”
Usage: Philemon 5, 7, 9
Meaning: Self-giving love that seeks the good of another.
Theological Significance: Paul commends Philemon’s agapē for the saints and appeals “for love’s sake,” not by command. Christian love, flowing from Christ’s love for us, is the motive and means of reconciliation (Philemon 9; John 13:34-35).
ἀδελφός (adelphos): “Brother”
Usage: Philemon 7, 16, 20
Meaning: Brother: a member of the same family; used of fellow believers.
Theological Significance: The pivot of the letter is that Onesimus is to be received “as a beloved adelphos.” In Christ, master and slave are brothers, members of one family of God, which transforms every relationship (Philemon 16; Galatians 3:28).
εὔχρηστος (euchrēstos): “Useful”
Usage: Philemon 11
Meaning: Useful, serviceable, profitable. Paul plays on the name Onesimus (“useful”), who was formerly achrēstos (“useless”).
Theological Significance: The gospel transforms a person from “useless” to “useful,” making fruitful what was once a loss. Grace changes not only our standing but our usefulness for God and others (Philemon 11; 2 Timothy 2:21).
ἐλλογέω (ellogeō): “To Charge to an Account”
Usage: Philemon 18
Meaning: To charge, reckon, or put to one’s account, a commercial term for imputing a debt.
Theological Significance: Paul’s “charge that to my account” pictures the gospel’s great exchange: the innocent assuming the debt of the guilty. So Christ took our debt upon Himself, that we might be received free of charge (Philemon 18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 2:14).
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