Core Glossary
Core Glossary — Philemon (English → Tamil)
This glossary covers every load-bearing theological/lexical term identified in 07_semantic_analysis.md, drawn from every section of the book (Philemon 1:1-25, treated as salutation/thanksgiving [1:1-7], core passage [1:8-21], and closing [1:22-25], since the book has only one chapter). Terms already fixed in the baseline Romans/Galatians/Ephesians/Philippians/Colossians translation memory are marked [TM] and reused exactly, with no deviation permitted. New terms proposed for this book carry full risk notes and rejected alternatives, in the same format as the baseline package, ready for promotion into translation_memory.json upon approval.
Doctrine key: FR = Forgiveness and Reconciliation · CB = Christian Brotherhood across Social Status · SG = Slavery and the Gospel’s Transforming Power · IA = Intercession and Appeal on Behalf of Another · GO = Grace-Motivated Obedience
A. Terms Reused Exactly from the Baseline Translation Memory [TM]
| English Term | Greek | Tamil (established) | Risk (baseline) | Doctrine Link | Verses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grace | χάρις | கிருபை | High | GO | 1:3, 1:25 |
| Peace | εἰρήνη | சமாதானம் | Medium | FR | 1:3 |
| Father | πατήρ | பிதா | Critical | — | 1:3 |
| Lord | κύριος | கர்த்தர் | Critical | — | 1:3, 1:16, 1:20 |
| Thanksgiving | εὐχαριστῶ | ஸ்தோத்திரம் | Low | — | 1:4 |
| Love | ἀγάπη | அன்பு | Medium | CB | 1:5, 1:7, 1:9 |
| Faith | πίστις | விசுவாசம் | High | GO | 1:5, 1:6 |
| Fellowship | κοινωνία | ஐக்கியம் | Low | IA | 1:6 |
| Saints | ἅγιοι | பரிசுத்தவான்கள் | High | CB | 1:5, 1:7 |
| Church | ἐκκλησία | சபை | Medium | — | 1:2 |
| Gospel | εὐαγγέλιον | சுவிசேஷம் | High | SG | 1:13 |
| Hope | ἐλπίς | நம்பிக்கை | High | IA | (implicit, 1:22 tone) |
| Christ / Jesus Christ | Χριστός / Ἰησοῦς Χριστός | கிறிஸ்து / இயேசு கிறிஸ்து | Critical | — | throughout |
| Brother | ἀδελφός | சகோதரன் | (per baseline pattern) | CB | 1:1, 1:7, 1:16, 1:20 |
| Deacon-family / service vocabulary | διάκονος root | உதவிக்காரர்கள் root | Medium | SG | (cross-ref for διακονέω, 1:13) |
| Affection of Christ (σπλάγχνα) | σπλάγχνα Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ | வாஞ்சை | Medium (Philippians pkg.) | CB | 1:7, 1:12, 1:20 |
| Graciously gave | ἐχαρίσατο family | கிருபையாக அளித்தார் root | High | FR | 1:22 (χαρίζομαι) |
| Record of debt | χειρόγραφον | கடன்பத்திரம் | High | FR | (cross-ref for ὀφείλω/ἐλλογάω, 1:18) |
B. New Terms Proposed for This Book
| English Term | Greek (translit.) | Proposed Tamil | Transliteration | Risk | Doctrine Link | Alternatives Rejected | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charge to my account / impute | ἐλλογάω (ellogaō) | எனது கணக்கில் வை / கணக்கிடு | enadhu kanakkil vai / kanakkidu | Critical | FR | கர்மக் கணக்கு (karma-ledger) | Deliberately reuses the கணக்கிடு root from the baseline’s Critical “imputed_righteousness” (கணக்கிடப்பட்ட நீதி) to surface the typological parallel to Christ’s substitutionary work. Debt is personal/legal before a real creditor, never impersonal karmic accounting. Mandatory theologian review. |
| Slave (literal social status) | δοῦλος (doulos) | அடிமை | adimai | Critical | SG, CB | ஊழியன்/பணியாளன் (softened “servant/employee”) | Reuses established அடிமை root (cf. Galatians “slavery,” Philippians “form of a servant”). Must NOT be softened/euphemized — the verse’s force (1:16) depends on naming the real social category before transcending it relationally. Caste- and bonded-labor-history resonance in Tamil Nadu requires dignity in handling, never erasure. |
| Voluntary / of one’s own accord | ἑκούσιον (hekousion) | மனப்பூர்வமான | manappoorvamaana | High | GO | தர்மப்படி (dharma-duty framing), புண்ணியச் செயலாக (as a merit-generating act) | Must contrast sharply with ἀνάγκη (below) in the same verse (1:14). Willingness here is grace-responsive, not self-generated religious merit. |
| Compulsion / necessity | ἀνάγκη (anagkē) | நிர்பந்தம் | nirbandham | High | GO | — | Paired antonym to ἑκούσιον; the doctrinal center of Grace-Motivated Obedience rests on this single antithesis being visible in Tamil. |
| Beget (spiritually) | γεννάω (gennaō) | (ஆவியில்) பெற்ற பிள்ளை | (aaviyil) petra pillai | High | SG | மறுபிறவி-family (rebirth/reincarnation) | Must stay in the பெறு/பிறப்பு-establishe(d) new-birth register (மறுபிறப்பு-adjacent), never touch the Critical-forbidden மறுபிறவி (rebirth-cycle) family. |
| Partner / sharer | κοινωνός (koinōnos) | பங்காளன் | pangaalan | High | CB, IA | துணை (mere “helper/assistant,” too weak) | Concrete noun partner-status, matching Paul’s own status — collapses social distance between master and slave. Companion term to ஐக்கியம் [TM]. |
| Appeal / entreat (vs. command) | παρακαλέω (parakaleō, entreaty sense) | வேண்டிக்கொள்ளுதல் | vendikkolluthal | High | IA | உற்சாகப்படுத்துதல் (baseline’s “encourage” sense — wrong register here), பிரார்த்தனை (prayer, wrong addressee) | Context-sensitive per baseline TM note; Philemon requires the entreaty/beseech sense specifically, addressed to Philemon, not God. |
| Command / order | ἐπιτάσσω (epitassō) | கட்டளையிடுதல் | kattalaiyiduthal | Medium | IA | — | The verb Paul explicitly renounces (1:8); must contrast cleanly with வேண்டிக்கொள்ளுதல். |
| Boldness / confidence | παρρησία (parrēsia) | தைரியம் | thairiyam | Medium | IA | — | Cf. established Ephesians 3:12 usage (தைரியமும் சேர்க்கையும்). Must stay attached to “in Christ.” |
| Bound one / prisoner (voluntary, for Christ) | δέσμιος (desmios) | கட்டுண்டவன் | kattundavan | Medium-High | SG | அடிமை (must stay distinct) | Paul’s self-designation; deliberately parallels but must remain lexically distinct from அடிமை (Onesimus’s literal slave status), preserving the letter’s rhetorical parallel without collapsing the two categories. |
| Fellow captive | συναιχμάλωτος (synaichmalōtos) | உடன் சிறைப்பட்டவன் | udan siraippattavan | Low | SG | — | Stronger than δέσμιος; applied to Epaphras (1:23). |
| Bonds / chains | δεσμός (desmos) | கட்டுகள் | kattugal | Medium | SG | — | Same family as δέσμιος; “bonds of the gospel” (1:13) = சுவிசேஷத்தினிமித்தமான கட்டுகள். |
| Consent | γνώμη (gnōmē) | சம்மதம் | sammadham | Medium | GO | — | Prior, enabling consent — kept distinct from கீழ்ப்படிதல் (obedience, the resulting response). |
| Fitting / proper duty | ἀνῆκον (anēkon) | தகுதியானது | thaguthiyaanadhu | Low | IA | — | Echoes established Colossians 3:18 “fitting in the Lord” usage. |
| Old man / ambassador (textual variant) | πρεσβύτης / πρεσβευτής | வயது மூத்தவன் (primary) / ஸ்தானாபதி (variant note) | vayadhu moothavan / sthaanaabathi | Medium | IA | — | Textual-critical ambiguity; footnote the ambassador-variant given its echo of Ephesians 6:20. |
| Child (spiritual) | τέκνον (teknon) | பிள்ளை | pillai | Low | SG | — | Paul’s affectionate claim on Onesimus. |
| Useless / unprofitable | ἄχρηστος (achrēstos) | ஆக்கமற்றவன் | aakkamatravan | Medium | SG | — | Wordplay with Onesimus’s name; keep in practical/economic register, not moral-worthlessness register. |
| Useful / profitable | εὔχρηστος (euchrēstos) | பிரயோஜனமுள்ளவன் | prayojanamullavan | Medium | SG | — | Paired contrast with ஆக்கமற்றவன்; completes the Onesimus name-pun in Tamil sense (not sound). |
| Send back | ἀναπέμπω (anapempō) | திரும்ப அனுப்புதல் | thirumba anupputhal | Low | IA | — | Legally weighted “proper return,” not casual errand. |
| Refresh (heart) | ἀναπαύω (anapauō) | ஆறுதலாக்குதல் | aaruthalaakkuthal | Medium | CB | — | Must be used consistently at 1:7 and 1:20 to preserve the letter’s inclusio with வாஞ்சை [TM]. |
| Keep/retain | κατέχω (katechō) | வைத்துக்கொள்ளுதல் | vaithukkolluthal | Low | IA | — | Paul’s candid admission of personal cost. |
| Serve/minister | διακονέω (diakoneō) | பணிவிடை செய்தல் | panividai seydhal | Medium | SG | அடிமைத் தொழில் (slave-labor register, rejected) | Dignified gospel-service register, consistent with உதவிக்காரர்கள் family. |
| Separated (passive, tactful) | χωρίζω (chōrizō) | பிரிக்கப்பட்டான் | pirikkappattaan | Medium | FR | ஓடிப்போனான் (blame-laden “he fled,” rejected for this clause) | Preserve Paul’s diplomatic passive framing. |
| Forever / permanently | αἰώνιος (aiōnios, non-technical sense here) | என்றென்றைக்கும் | endrendraikkum | Medium | FR | நித்தியம் (reserved for the technical eternal-life register; usable only as a deliberate, flagged exegetical choice) | Contrasted with “for an hour” (πρὸς ὥραν); do not default to the eternal-life term. |
| Receive back in full | ἀπέχω (apechō) | முழுமையாகப் பெற்றுக்கொள் | muzhumaiyaaga petrukkol | Low-Medium | FR | — | Quasi-commercial “receipt in full,” anticipates vv.18-19’s debt vocabulary. |
| Beloved | ἀγαπητός (agapētos) | பிரியமான | piriyamaana | Low | CB | — | Intensifies “brother.” |
| Receive/welcome | προσλαμβάνω (proslambanō) | ஏற்றுக்கொள் | yetrukkol | Medium | FR, CB | — | Echoes Romans 15:7’s Christ-received-you pattern; cross-reference in teaching notes. |
| Wronged / did injustice | ἀδικέω (adikeō) | அநியாயம் செய்தல் | aniyaayam seydhal | Medium | FR | — | Shares root with நீதி (righteousness); real wrong, not trivialized. |
| Owe (debt) | ὀφείλω (opheilō) | கடன்பட்டிருத்தல் | kadanpattirunthal | Low-Medium | FR | — | Reuses கடன் root from established “record_of_debt.” |
| Repay in full | ἀποτίνω (apotinō) | திருப்பிச் செலுத்துதல் / சரிக்கட்டுதல் | thirupich seluthuthal / sarikkattuthal | Medium | FR | — | Concrete, legally binding guarantee register. |
| Owe besides / owe in addition | προσοφείλω (prosopheilō) | மேலும் கடன்பட்டிருத்தல் | melum kadanpattirunthal | Low-Medium | FR | — | Rhetorical escalation: spiritual debt exceeds financial debt. |
| Profit/benefit from (wordplay) | ὀνίνημι (oninēmi) | பயன்பெறுதல் | payanperuthal | Medium | SG | — | Third and final Onesimus name-pun (1:20); shares field with பிரயோஜனம் (1:11). |
| Obedience / compliance | ὑπακοή (hypakoē) | கீழ்ப்படிதல் | keezhppadithal | Medium-High | GO | — | Reuses established Ephesians 5:21 root; here the MASTER is urged to “obey” the appeal — preserve this deliberate reversal. |
| Confident/trusting | πείθω, ptc. πεποιθώς (peithō) | உறுதியான நம்பிக்கையுடன் | uruthiyaana nambikkaiyudan | Medium | IA | — | Interpersonal trust in Philemon, not theological hope toward God; keep referent unambiguous. |
| Hospitality / guest room | ξενία (xenia) | விருந்தோம்பல் | virundhombal | Low | IA | — | Positive cultural asset (Thirukkural virtue term); no collision risk. |
| Fellow worker | συνεργός (synergos) | உடன்வேலையாள் / உடன்வேலையாட்கள் | udan velaiyaal / udan velaiyaatkal | Low | CB | — | Consistent with established ஊழியக்காரர் family. |
| Fellow soldier | συστρατιώτης (systratiōtēs) | உடன் போர்வீரன் | udan porveeran | Low | CB | — | Vivid military-service metaphor. |
| Sister | ἀδελφή (adelphē) | சகோதரி | sagodhari | Low | CB | — | Feminine form of established சகோதரன். |
| Sharing/generous fellowship (of faith) | κοινωνία τῆς πίστεως (specific collocation) | விசுவாசத்தின் ஐக்கியப் பகிர்வு | vishvasathin aikkiyap pagirvu | Medium | IA | — | Active-generosity nuance of κοινωνία; anticipates κοινωνός (1:17). |
C. Proper Names — Established Tamil Bible Forms (Low Risk)
| English | Greek | Tamil | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul | Παῦλος | பவுல் | Paul |
| Timothy | Τιμόθεος | தீமோத்தேயு | Theemotheyu |
| Philemon | Φιλήμων | பிலேமோன் | Pilemon |
| Apphia | Ἀπφία | அப்பியாள் | Appiyaal |
| Archippus | Ἄρχιππος | அர்க்கிப்பு | Arkkippu |
| Onesimus | Ὀνήσιμος | ஒநேசிமு | Onesimu |
| Epaphras | Ἐπαφρᾶς | எப்பாப்பிரா | Eppaappiraa |
| Mark | Μᾶρκος | மாற்கு | Maarku |
| Aristarchus | Ἀρίσταρχος | அரிஸ்தர்க்கு | Aristharkku |
| Demas | Δημᾶς | தேமா | Theymaa |
| Luke | Λουκᾶς | லூக்கா | Lookkaa |
Mandatory translator’s note (per 07_semantic_analysis.md v.10): the name Ὀνήσιμος means “useful/profitable” and is the basis of the wordplay in vv.11 and 20; this must be footnoted at first occurrence since the pun is untranslatable directly into Tamil transliteration.
D. Cross-Reference Notes for translation_memory.json Promotion
Upon theologian and native-speaker review approval, the following new entries from Section B should be promoted into translation_memory.json (incrementing the version number and following the established JSON schema fields: translation, transliteration, doctrine_risk, doctrine, alternatives_rejected, notes), prioritized by risk tier:
- Critical priority: ἐλλογάω (எனது கணக்கில் வை), δοῦλος-in-Philemon (அடிமை, literal-status sense)
- High priority: ἑκούσιον/ἀνάγκη pair, γεννάω (spiritual begetting), κοινωνός, παρακαλέω (entreaty sense), ὑπακοή (compliance/obedience sense)
- Medium priority: all remaining Section B entries
All Section A [TM] terms require no promotion action — they are already governing entries and must be reused exactly as recorded in the baseline.
Critical Risk Terms
God
Approved rendering: கடவுள்
Transliteration: kadavul
Doctrine: Deity of Christ
Rejected alternatives: தேவன், பரமேஸ்வரன், பகவான்
Original: θεός
Category: God
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). CRITICAL, DISTINCT STRATEGY FROM OTHER LANGUAGES IN THIS PIPELINE: established Tamil Bible tradition uses தேவன் for “God” (e.g. John 3:16), but தேவன் literally denotes “a deva” — one deity among the Hindu pantheon — risking a henotheistic reading. This Language Package uses கடவுள் instead, unambiguously monotheistic. NEVER பரமேஸ்வரன் or பகவான். Philemon note: governs 1:3 salutation (“God our Father”) and the closing benediction 1:25; also underlies 1:22’s grace framing of Paul’s hoped-for release.
Father
Approved rendering: பிதா
Transliteration: pitha
Doctrine: Adoption into God’s Family
Original: πατήρ
Category: God
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). God as personal Father in formal address; established, unambiguous term. Philemon note: fixed salutation formula, 1:3 (“God our Father”).
Lord
Approved rendering: கர்த்தர்
Transliteration: karthar
Doctrine: Lordship of Christ
Rejected alternatives: எஜமான்
Original: κύριος
Category: Christology
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). Exclusive, supreme Lordship of Christ; established since Ziegenbalg. Philemon note: 1:3 salutation; 1:16 (“brother beloved… in the Lord”) and 1:20 (“let me have joy of you in the Lord”) must read as the shared sphere of Christ’s Lordship binding master and slave together as equals under one Lord, not a generic devotional phrase.
Christ
Approved rendering: கிறிஸ்து
Transliteration: kiristhu
Doctrine: Messianic Promise
Original: Χριστός
Category: Christology
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). Established Tamil Bible transliteration; a title identifying the one Anointed One. Philemon note: recurs throughout (1:1, 1:8, 1:9, 1:20, 1:23, 1:25), always paired with Ἰησοῦς.
Jesus
Approved rendering: இயேசு
Transliteration: yesu
Doctrine: Lordship of Christ
Original: Ἰησοῦς
Category: Christology
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). Established Tamil Christian standard form. Philemon note: always paired with கிறிஸ்து (1:1, 1:9, 1:25).
Imputed Righteousness
Approved rendering: கணக்கிடப்பட்ட நீதி
Transliteration: kanakkidapatta neethi
Doctrine: Justification by Faith
Rejected alternatives: சம்பாதித்த நீதி
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; original Romans 4:3/Genesis 15:6 term). Philemon note: the கணக்கிடு (reckon/credit) root here is deliberately reused in charge_to_account below (1:18, ἐλλογάω) to surface — without equating — the typological echo between Paul’s offer to bear Onesimus’s financial debt and Christ’s substitutionary bearing of the debt of sin. Mandatory theologian review to confirm the lexical link is visible AND the distinction (Paul bears financial debt; Christ alone bears the debt of sin) is preserved in teaching material.
Slave
Approved rendering: அடிமை
Transliteration: adimai
Doctrine: Christian Brotherhood across Social Status
Rejected alternatives: ஊழியன், பணியாளன்
Original: δοῦλος
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:16 (δοῦλος, literal social/legal status). Reuses the established root (அடிமையின் ரூபம், Philippians 2:7; அடிமைத்தனம், Galatians). NEVER euphemize — the verse’s force depends on naming the real, hard social category before transcending it relationally (“ஆனால் அதிலும் மேலான சகோதரன்”, but more than that, a brother). Caste- and bonded-labor-history resonance in Tamil Nadu makes both softening AND unframed literalism equally dangerous. This is the doctrinal center of both Christian Brotherhood across Social Status and Slavery and the Gospel’s Transforming Power. Mandatory theologian AND native-speaker review; zero tolerance for euphemism.
Charge To Account
Approved rendering: எனது கணக்கில் வை
Transliteration: enadhu kanakkil vai
Doctrine: Substitutionary Debt-Bearing as an Illustration of Christ’s Work
Rejected alternatives: கர்மக் கணக்கு
Original: ἐλλογάω
Category: Salvation
NEW term for Philemon 1:18 (ἐλλογάω; the NT’s only other occurrence is Romans 5:13). The single most theologically loaded verb in the letter. Deliberately reuses the கணக்கிடு root already Critical in imputed_righteousness (கணக்கிடப்பட்ட நீதி) to surface the typological echo to substitutionary atonement — while teaching material must explicitly bound the analogy: Paul bears a real financial debt as a costly personal gesture; Christ alone bears the debt of sin as an all-sufficient atoning act. NEVER கர்மக் கணக்கு (impersonal, cross-lifetime karma-ledger). Mandatory theologian review of every occurrence.
High Risk Terms
Grace
Approved rendering: கிருபை
Transliteration: kirupai
Doctrine: Grace
Rejected alternatives: புண்ணியம், ஊழ்வினை பலன்
Original: χάρις
Category: Salvation
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). Unmerited favor apart from human merit. Philemon note: 1:3 and 1:25 fixed benediction formula; also the root for graciously_given (1:22, χαρίζομαι), where even Paul’s own hoped-for release is framed as grace, not a self-secured outcome.
Saints
Approved rendering: பரிசுத்தவான்கள்
Transliteration: parisuthavankal
Doctrine: Sainthood
Rejected alternatives: சாமியார், சித்தர்
Original: ἅγιοι
Category: Church
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). Applies to every ordinary believer; never சாமியார்/சித்தர். Philemon note: 1:5, 1:7 — the saints whose hearts (vaanjai) Philemon has refreshed, forming the corporate backdrop to the singular appeal for Onesimus.
Gospel
Approved rendering: சுவிசேஷம்
Transliteration: suvisesham
Doctrine: Gospel
Rejected alternatives: நல்ல செய்தி
Original: εὐαγγέλιον
Category: Salvation
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). Philemon note: 1:13, “bonds of the gospel” (சுவிசேஷத்தினிமித்தமான கட்டுகள்) — frames Paul’s imprisonment itself as gospel-service; also implicitly the means of Onesimus’s conversion, 1:10.
Hope
Approved rendering: நம்பிக்கை
Transliteration: nambikkai
Doctrine: Hope of Calling
Rejected alternatives: ஆசை
Original: ἐλπίς
Category: Faith
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; term first fixed in the Ephesians extension). Philemon note: implicit in the confident tone of 1:22; must be kept distinct from confident_trusting (1:21), which is interpersonal confidence in Philemon, not theological hope directed toward God.
Graciously Gave
Approved rendering: கிருபையாக அளித்தார்
Transliteration: kirupaiyaaga aliththaar
Doctrine: The Humility and Exaltation of Christ (Kenosis)
Rejected alternatives: சம்பளமாகக் கொடுத்தார்
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; term first fixed in the Philippians extension, Philippians 2:9). Philemon note: this root is the basis for graciously_given below (χαρίζομαι, 1:22, future passive) — Paul’s own hoped-for release from imprisonment is framed as itself a grace-gift mediated through the household’s prayers, not a self-secured outcome.
Record Of Debt
Approved rendering: கடன்பத்திரம்
Transliteration: kadanpathiram
Doctrine: Redemption and Forgiveness
Rejected alternatives: கர்மக் கணக்கு, விதிக் கணக்கு
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; term first fixed in the Colossians extension, Colossians 2:14). Philemon note: the கடன் (debt) root here is reused across 1:18-19’s accounting vocabulary (owe_debt, charge_to_account, repay_in_full, owe_besides), giving the Tamil reader a lexical bridge from Philemon’s personal debt-transfer offer to Christ’s cancellation of the debt-bond against believers.
Slavery
Approved rendering: அடிமைத்தனம்
Transliteration: adimaithanam
Doctrine: Freedom in Christ
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; term first fixed in the Galatians extension). Philemon note: this abstract-bondage noun is not itself used in Philemon 1:8-21, but its root அடிமை is mandatory (never euphemized) for the literal-status noun δοῦλος at 1:16 — see slave below.
Form Of A Servant
Approved rendering: அடிமையின் ரூபம்
Transliteration: adimaiyin rupam
Doctrine: The Humility and Exaltation of Christ (Kenosis)
Rejected alternatives: வேலைக்காரனின் ரூபம்
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; term first fixed in the Philippians extension, Philippians 2:7). Philemon note: establishes அடிமை as the correct, dignity-preserving root for real, named slave-status — directly authorizing the slave entry’s rendering at Philemon 1:16 and forbidding any euphemistic softening there.
Reconciliation
Approved rendering: ஒப்புரவாக்குதல்
Transliteration: oppuravaakkuthal
Doctrine: Reconciliation
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; term first fixed in the Ephesians extension, Ephesians 2:16; also Colossians 1:20-22). Philemon note: this cosmic-scale doctrinal noun is NOT used in the base text of Philemon 1:8-21 (no Greek headword in this letter warrants it). Reserve it for teaching/doctrine-notes material connecting Philemon’s small, personal reconciliation to the larger doctrine already established elsewhere in this curriculum. In-text, receive_welcome (1:17) and separated_tactful/receive_back_in_full (1:15) carry the concrete narrative instead.
Appeal Entreaty
Approved rendering: வேண்டிக்கொள்ளுதல்
Transliteration: vendikkolluthal
Doctrine: Intercession and Appeal on Behalf of Another
Rejected alternatives: உற்சாகப்படுத்துதல், பிரார்த்தனை
Original: παρακαλέω
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:9-10 (παρακαλέω, entreaty sense). This is the letter’s single most load-bearing verb — Paul’s entire rhetorical strategy (appeal instead of command) depends on it. Never உற்சாகப்படுத்துதல் (baseline’s “encourage/build up” sense — wrong register) and never பிரார்த்தனை (prayer register — wrong addressee; the appeal is to Philemon, a human, not to God). Mandatory theologian review; treat with Critical-tier discipline despite the High classification.
Bound One Prisoner
Approved rendering: கட்டுண்டவன்
Transliteration: kattundavan
Doctrine: Apostolic Authority Held in Voluntary Humility
Rejected alternatives: அடிமை (must stay distinct), கட்டுப்பட்ட விதி
Original: δέσμιος
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:1, 1:9, 1:10, 1:13 (δέσμιος). Paul’s preferred self-designation — voluntary, Christ-identified bondage, never a shameful legal status. Must NEVER be lexically merged with slave (அடிமை, Onesimus’s involuntary status) nor with fatalism idioms (“bound by destiny”). The letter’s rhetorical parallel — the free apostle chooses bondage for Christ; the formerly enslaved Onesimus is freed relationally — depends on this asymmetry staying visible. Mandatory theologian review.
Spiritual Begetting
Approved rendering: ஆவியில் பெற்ற பிள்ளை
Transliteration: aaviyil petra pillai
Doctrine: Slavery and the Gospel’s Transforming Power
Rejected alternatives: மறுபிறவி-family (rebirth/reincarnation)
Original: γεννάω
Category: Salvation
NEW term for Philemon 1:10 (γεννάω). Onesimus’s conversion under Paul’s ministry, described as begetting. Uses பெறு (obtain/beget) rather than any பிறவி/பிறப்பு-root compound — this sits directly beside the Critical-forbidden மறுபிறவி family and must stay parallel to (never merged with) the established மறுபிறப்பு (new birth, John 3 register). Mandatory theologian review to confirm no reincarnation-adjacent phrasing has crept in.
Compulsion Necessity
Approved rendering: நிர்பந்தம்
Transliteration: nirbandham
Doctrine: Grace-Motivated Obedience
Original: ἀνάγκη
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:14 (ἀνάγκη). The external compulsion Paul refuses to impose. Must be held in sharp, visible contrast with voluntary (மனப்பூர்வமான) in the same verse — the doctrine’s entire content depends on this single antithesis surviving translation. Mandatory theologian review.
Voluntary
Approved rendering: மனப்பூர்வமான
Transliteration: manappoorvamaana
Doctrine: Grace-Motivated Obedience
Rejected alternatives: தர்மப்படி, புண்ணியச் செயலாக
Original: ἑκούσιον
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:14 (ἑκούσιον, this exact form is the NT’s sole occurrence). The good Philemon does must have this quality — grace-responsive willingness flowing from love already named in 1:9, NEVER a self-generated meritorious or dharmic act. One of the letter’s two highest-stakes lexical decisions given Tamil religious culture’s pervasive merit-economy vocabulary. Mandatory theologian review.
Brother
Approved rendering: சகோதரன்
Transliteration: sagodharan
Doctrine: Christian Brotherhood across Social Status
Original: ἀδελφός
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:16 and throughout. Reuses the established root (cf. போலி சகோதரர்கள், false_brothers). At 1:16 must render the “no longer as a slave but… a beloved brother” construction as ADDITION, not REPLACEMENT — Onesimus’s new status exceeds but does not erase his named history. Use unqualified; never a diminutive or status-qualified kinship term.
Partner
Approved rendering: பங்காளன்
Transliteration: pangaalan
Doctrine: Christian Brotherhood across Social Status
Rejected alternatives: துணை
Original: κοινωνός
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:17 (κοινωνός). Concrete noun-partner status, more precise than abstract ஐக்கியம் alone. Philemon is asked to receive Onesimus AS he would receive Paul himself — collapsing the social distance entirely. Never துணை (“helper/assistant”), which would quietly preserve the very hierarchy this verse dismantles. Mandatory theologian review.
Obedience Compliance
Approved rendering: கீழ்ப்படிதல்
Transliteration: keezhppadithal
Doctrine: Grace-Motivated Obedience
Original: ὑπακοή
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:21 (ὑπακοή). Reuses the established submission root (Ephesians 5:21-24). The verse’s rhetorical genius — that the MASTER, Philemon, is urged to “obey” — is a deliberate reversal of the household-code’s usual upward direction and must never be silently “corrected” during translation or QA. Must read as voluntary, love-grounded compliance flowing from 1:9-14, never hierarchical submission owed to Paul’s rank, and never legalistic merit-generating obedience. Mandatory theologian review with an explicit directional check.
Medium Risk Terms
Peace
Approved rendering: சமாதானம்
Transliteration: samadhanam
Doctrine: Peace with God
Original: εἰρήνη
Category: Salvation
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). Relational peace with God through justification. Philemon note: fixed salutation formula, 1:3.
Love
Approved rendering: அன்பு
Transliteration: anbu
Doctrine: Liberty, Not License
Rejected alternatives: பக்தி, காதல்
Original: ἀγάπη
Category: Church
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; term first fixed in the Galatians extension). Self-giving love; never பக்தி or காதல். Philemon note: 1:5, 1:7 (ground of the saints’ refreshment) and 1:9, the EXPLICIT stated motive for Paul’s appeal instead of command — must function as a causal warrant (அன்பினிமித்தம், “for love’s sake”), not merely an emotional descriptor.
Church
Approved rendering: சபை
Transliteration: sabai
Doctrine: Church as God’s People
Rejected alternatives: கோவில்
Original: ἐκκλησία
Category: Church
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). The assembly, never கோவில். Philemon note: 1:2, “the church in your house” (உன் வீட்டிலுள்ள சபை) — சபை names the assembly, never the building.
Affection Of Christ
Approved rendering: வாஞ்சை
Transliteration: vaanjai
Doctrine: Partnership in the Gospel
Original: σπλάγχνα
Category: Church
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; term first fixed in the Philippians extension for σπλάγχνα Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, Philippians 1:8). Philemon note: MUST render identically and consistently at all THREE occurrences — 1:7 (the saints’ hearts refreshed), 1:12 (Onesimus as Paul’s “very heart”), and 1:20 (Paul’s own heart, which he asks Philemon to refresh) — forming a structural inclusio unique to this letter. A generic ‘heart’ (இதயம்) or ‘feeling’ (உணர்வு) at any single occurrence would break the inclusio and flatten the letter’s central rhetorical device: a slave elevated to the status of Paul’s own inmost self. Mandatory theologian review for cross-verse consistency.
False Brothers
Approved rendering: போலி சகோதரர்கள்
Transliteration: poli sakodhararkal
Doctrine: Apostolic Authority of Paul
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; term first fixed in the Galatians v2 extension). Philemon note: establishes the சகோதரன் root pattern that the positive, load-bearing brother entry below reuses at 1:16 and 1:20 and throughout the letter.
Servants Of Christ
Approved rendering: கிறிஸ்து இயேசுவின் ஊழியக்காரர்
Transliteration: Kiristhu Yesuvin oozhiyakkaarar
Doctrine: Church Leadership
Rejected alternatives: அடியார்
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; term first fixed in the Philippians extension, Philippians 1:1). Philemon note: the deliberate asymmetry recorded in the baseline (Christ takes அடிமையின் ரூபம் while ministers are ஊழியக்காரர்) directly informs why Paul’s self-designation at Philemon 1:1 is bound_one_prisoner (கட்டுண்டவன், “a prisoner of Christ Jesus”), not அப்போஸ்தலன் or ஊழியக்காரர் alone — he identifies with Christ’s voluntary lowering, not an office title.
Forgiveness
Approved rendering: மன்னிப்பு
Transliteration: mannippu
Doctrine: Forgiveness
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; term first fixed in the Ephesians extension, Ephesians 1:7, 4:32). Philemon note: Philemon 1:8-21 never uses a bare forgiveness-headword; the letter enacts reconciliation through debt/accounting vocabulary instead (see charge_to_account). மன்னிப்பு is retained here ONLY as a cross-reference term for teaching material; per the inherited rule it must never substitute for the letter’s actual debt-transfer/redemption vocabulary.
Submission
Approved rendering: கீழ்ப்படிதல்
Transliteration: keezhppadithal
Doctrine: Household Code
Rejected alternatives: அடிமைத்தனம்
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged; term first fixed in the Ephesians extension, Ephesians 5:21-24). Philemon note: this exact root is reused for obedience_compliance below (1:21, ὑπακοή), where — uniquely in this curriculum — the socially SUPERIOR party (Philemon, the master) is urged to “obey,” a deliberate reversal of the household-code’s usual upward direction. Reviewers must confirm this reversal is never silently corrected during translation or QA.
Intercession
Approved rendering: பரிந்துபேசுதல்
Transliteration: parinthu-pesuthal
Doctrine: Prayer and Intercession
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). Prayer on behalf of others before God. Philemon note: this term names DIVINE/Spirit-directed intercessory prayer and must stay contextually distinguishable from Philemon’s own appeal, which is a horizontal, person-to-person entreaty (see appeal_entreaty) — never render Paul’s appeal to Philemon with this vertical-prayer term.
Boldness Confidence
Approved rendering: தைரியம்
Transliteration: thairiyam
Doctrine: Intercession and Appeal on Behalf of Another
Original: παρρησία
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:8 (παρρησία). Cf. established Ephesians 3:12 usage (தைரியமும் சேர்க்கையும்). Must stay attached to “in Christ” (கிறிஸ்துவுக்குள் உள்ள தைரியம்) so the authority named is Christ-derived apostolic standing, not Paul’s personal status — otherwise the letter’s key rhetorical move (possessing authority yet declining to use it) is obscured.
Command
Approved rendering: கட்டளையிடுதல்
Transliteration: kattalaiyiduthal
Doctrine: Intercession and Appeal on Behalf of Another
Original: ἐπιτάσσω
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:8 (ἐπιτάσσω). From the established கட்டளை root (cf. மனுஷ கட்டளைகள், “human regulations”). The verb Paul explicitly renounces; must contrast cleanly and visibly with appeal_entreaty (வேண்டிக்கொள்ளுதல்) in the same verse so the letter’s persuasive strategy (appeal, not command) is legible in Tamil.
Elder Ambassador
Approved rendering: வயது மூத்தவன் / ஸ்தானாபதி (variant)
Transliteration: vayadhu moothavan / sthaanaabathi
Doctrine: Apostolic Authority Held in Voluntary Humility
Original: πρεσβύτης / πρεσβευτής
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:9 (πρεσβύτης/πρεσβευτής textual variant — “old man” vs. “ambassador”). Primary rendering: வயது மூத்தவனாயிருந்தும். Record the ambassador-variant ஸ்தானாபதி as a footnoted alternative, echoing Paul’s self-designation at Ephesians 6:20. Flag for native speaker review given the textual-critical ambiguity; do not silently pick a side.
Bonds Chains
Approved rendering: கட்டுகள்
Transliteration: kattugal
Doctrine: Apostolic Authority Held in Voluntary Humility
Original: δεσμός
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:10, 1:13 (δεσμός). Same root family as bound_one_prisoner. “Bonds of the gospel” (1:13) renders சுவிசேஷத்தினிமித்தமான கட்டுகள்.
Useless Unprofitable
Approved rendering: ஆக்கமற்றவன்
Transliteration: aakkamatravan
Doctrine: Transformed Identity Signified by the Name Onesimus
Original: ἄχρηστος
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:11 (ἄχρηστος). Onesimus’s former condition/value from Philemon’s perspective — part of the letter’s central wordplay on his name. Keep in a purely economic/practical register; do not drift into a moral-worthlessness or caste-degradation register.
Useful Profitable
Approved rendering: பிரயோஜனமுள்ளவன்
Transliteration: prayojanamullavan
Doctrine: Transformed Identity Signified by the Name Onesimus
Original: εὔχρηστος
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:11 (εὔχρηστος). Onesimus’s transformed value to both Philemon and Paul. Directly paired against useless_unprofitable so the wordplay’s SENSE survives in Tamil even though its SOUND cannot. Mandatory translator’s note at v.10 required (see onesimus_name).
Serve Minister
Approved rendering: பணிவிடை செய்தல்
Transliteration: panividai seydhal
Doctrine: Slavery and the Gospel’s Transforming Power
Rejected alternatives: அடிமைத் தொழில்
Original: διακονέω
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:13 (διακονέω). Dignified gospel-service register, consistent with the established உதவிக்காரர்கள் (deacons) word family — willing, dignified service, not compelled bondage, even though rendered by one formerly enslaved.
Consent
Approved rendering: சம்மதம்
Transliteration: sammadham
Doctrine: Grace-Motivated Obedience
Original: γνώμη
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:14 (γνώμη). Philemon’s free agreement, without which Paul refuses to act. Keep distinct in time and function from obedience_compliance — consent is the PRIOR, enabling condition; obedience is the RESULTING response (1:21).
Separated Tactful
Approved rendering: பிரிக்கப்பட்டான்
Transliteration: pirikkappattaan
Doctrine: Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Rejected alternatives: ஓடிப்போனான்
Original: χωρίζω
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:15 (χωρίζω, passive). Paul’s deliberately tactful, non-accusatory description of Onesimus’s flight. Never render with a blame-laden active verb in this clause; the real wrong is acknowledged separately and directly at 1:18.
Forever Permanent
Approved rendering: என்றென்றைக்கும்
Transliteration: endrendraikkum
Doctrine: Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Rejected alternatives: நித்தியம்/நித்திய (reserved technical register; only usable as a deliberate flagged exegetical choice)
Original: αἰώνιος
Category: Eschatology
NEW term for Philemon 1:15 (αἰώνιος, non-technical sense, contrasted with “for an hour”). Default to this everyday-permanence rendering; do not silently default to the reserved technical eternal-life register (நித்தியம்) unless translator and theologian jointly and explicitly flag the choice to surface a possible double resonance with eternal, heavenly reunion.
Receive Back In Full
Approved rendering: முழுமையாகப் பெற்றுக்கொள்
Transliteration: muzhumaiyaaga petrukkol
Doctrine: Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Original: ἀπέχω
Category: Salvation
NEW term for Philemon 1:15 (ἀπέχω). A quasi-commercial “receipt in full” term anticipating 1:18-19’s debt vocabulary; Philemon is to receive Onesimus back as something MORE than a recovered slave — a brother.
Receive Welcome
Approved rendering: ஏற்றுக்கொள்
Transliteration: yetrukkol
Doctrine: Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Original: προσλαμβάνω
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:17 (προσλαμβάνω). Same verb-root used of Christ’s reception of believers (Romans 15:7 pattern) — teaching notes should draw this cross-reference explicitly, reinforcing that Philemon’s reception of Onesimus is modeled on Christ’s own welcome.
Wronged Injustice
Approved rendering: அநியாயம் செய்தல்
Transliteration: aniyaayam seydhal
Doctrine: Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Original: ἀδικέω
Category: Sin
NEW term for Philemon 1:18 (ἀδικέω). Paul’s candid, non-minimizing acknowledgment of real wrong. Shares a root with நீதி (righteousness) via அ-negation — useful for teaching that this is a real injustice requiring real reconciliation, not a trivial matter being waved away.
Owe Debt
Approved rendering: கடன்பட்டிருத்தல்
Transliteration: kadanpattirunthal
Doctrine: Substitutionary Debt-Bearing as an Illustration of Christ’s Work
Original: ὀφείλω
Category: Sin
NEW term for Philemon 1:18 (ὀφείλω). Reuses the established கடன் root from record_of_debt (Colossians 2:14), connecting Paul’s personal offer to Christ’s cancellation of the debt-bond against believers.
Repay In Full
Approved rendering: திருப்பிச் செலுத்துதல்
Transliteration: thirupich seluthuthal
Doctrine: Substitutionary Debt-Bearing as an Illustration of Christ’s Work
Original: ἀποτίνω
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:19 (ἀποτίνω). Paul’s written, legally binding personal guarantee backing his offer — concrete, costly, actionable commitment, not vague sentiment.
Owe Besides
Approved rendering: மேலும் கடன்பட்டிருத்தல்
Transliteration: melum kadanpattirunthal
Doctrine: Substitutionary Debt-Bearing as an Illustration of Christ’s Work
Original: προσοφείλω
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:19 (προσοφείλω, NT hapax). Rhetorical escalation: Philemon’s spiritual debt to Paul (his conversion) far exceeds whatever Onesimus owes Philemon — and, by extension, every believer’s debt to Christ.
Profit Benefit Wordplay
Approved rendering: பயன்பெறுதல்
Transliteration: payanperuthal
Doctrine: Transformed Identity Signified by the Name Onesimus
Original: ὀνίνημι
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:20 (ὀνίνημι). The third and final wordplay on the name Onesimus (“useful/profitable”). Shares its semantic field with useful_profitable (1:11), completing the letter’s name-pun arc.
Refresh Heart
Approved rendering: ஆறுதலாக்குதல்
Transliteration: aaruthalaakkuthal
Doctrine: Christian Brotherhood across Social Status
Original: ἀναπαύω
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:7, 1:20 (ἀναπαύω). Must render consistently at both occurrences, combined with the fixed affection_of_christ (வாஞ்சை), so the letter’s inclusio is visible: “என் வாஞ்சையை கிறிஸ்துவுக்குள் ஆறுதலாக்கும்.”
Confident Trusting
Approved rendering: உறுதியான நம்பிக்கையுடன்
Transliteration: uruthiyaana nambikkaiyudan
Doctrine: Grace-Motivated Obedience
Original: πείθω (πεποιθώς)
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:21 (πείθω, πεποιθώς). Interpersonal confidence in Philemon’s character, NOT theological hope directed toward God (see the inherited hope entry) — the referent (Philemon) must be unmistakable within the same clause.
Graciously Given
Approved rendering: கிருபையாகக் கொடுக்கப்படுவேன்
Transliteration: kirupaiyaaga kodukkappaduven
Doctrine: Prayer and Thanksgiving for Others
Original: χαρίζομαι
Category: Salvation
NEW term for Philemon 1:22 (χαρίζομαι, future passive). Reuses the established graciously_gave root (Philippians 2:9). Keep the PASSIVE voice — God as acting agent through the household’s prayers — never an active “I will come,” which would understate that Paul’s own hoped-for freedom is itself framed as grace.
Sharing Of Faith
Approved rendering: விசுவாசத்தின் ஐக்கியப் பகிர்வு
Transliteration: vishvasathin aikkiyap pagirvu
Doctrine: Fellowship and Partnership in Gospel Ministry
Original: κοινωνία τῆς πίστεως
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:6 (κοινωνία τῆς πίστεως). The ACTIVE, generosity-producing sense of κοινωνία in this specific collocation, distinct from the general abstract fellowship sense; directly anticipates partner (κοινωνός) in 1:17.
Onesimus Name
Approved rendering: ஒநேசிமு
Transliteration: Onesimu
Doctrine: Transformed Identity Signified by the Name Onesimus
Original: Ὀνήσιμος
Category: Church
NEW proper name for Philemon 1:10, 1:11, 1:20 (Ὀνήσιμος, from ὀνίνημι, “to profit/benefit”). Transliterate as ஒநேசிமு. MANDATORY translator’s note at first occurrence: ‘ஒநேசிமு’ என்ற பெயருக்கு ‘பயனுள்ளவன்’ என்று பொருள் — required since the wordplay of 1:11 and 1:20 cannot survive transliteration alone.
Low Risk Terms
Thanksgiving
Approved rendering: ஸ்தோத்திரம்
Transliteration: sthothiram
Doctrine: Thanksgiving
Original: εὐχαριστῶ
Category: Faith
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). Established, warm devotional term. Philemon note: 1:4, Paul’s thanksgiving for Philemon.
Fellowship
Approved rendering: ஐக்கியம்
Transliteration: aikkiyam
Doctrine: Christian Fellowship
Rejected alternatives: நட்பு
Original: κοινωνία
Category: Church
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). Shared participation in Christ. Philemon note: general abstract sense at 1:6; see sharing_of_faith below for the letter’s specific active-generosity collocation (κοινωνία τῆς πίστεως), which is distinct.
Exhort
Approved rendering: உற்சாகப்படுத்துதல்
Transliteration: utchagappaduthuthal
Doctrine: Mutual Edification
INHERITED from Romans package (baseline, unchanged). Context-sensitive: வேண்டுகோள் for entreaty; உற்சாகப்படுத்துதல் for encourage/build up. Philemon note: this is the baseline’s “encourage/build up” sense, EXPLICITLY THE WRONG REGISTER for Philemon 1:9-10’s παρακαλέω, where the entreaty sense (see appeal_entreaty below) is required instead. Retained here only to mark the register boundary for reviewers.
Fitting Duty
Approved rendering: தகுதியானது
Transliteration: thaguthiyaanadhu
Doctrine: Intercession and Appeal on Behalf of Another
Original: ἀνῆκον
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:8 (ἀνῆκον). Echoes Colossians 3:18’s established “fitting in the Lord” (கர்த்தருக்குள் தகுதியானதுபோல). Relational propriety, not legal requirement — keep distinct from நியாயப்பிரமாணத்தின் கிரியைகள் (works of the law).
Spiritual Child
Approved rendering: பிள்ளை
Transliteration: pillai
Doctrine: Slavery and the Gospel’s Transforming Power
Original: τέκνον
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:10 (τέκνον). Paul’s affectionate, paternal claim on Onesimus. Warm relational register, consistent with established Christian household vocabulary.
Send Back
Approved rendering: திரும்ப அனுப்புதல்
Transliteration: thirumba anupputhal
Doctrine: Intercession and Appeal on Behalf of Another
Original: ἀναπέμπω
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:12 (ἀναπέμπω). A legally weighted “proper return,” not a casual errand — Paul’s costly, significant act of returning Onesimus.
Keep Retain
Approved rendering: வைத்துக்கொள்ளுதல்
Transliteration: vaithukkolluthal
Doctrine: Intercession and Appeal on Behalf of Another
Original: κατέχω
Category: Discipleship
NEW term for Philemon 1:13 (κατέχω). Paul’s candid admission that he desired to keep Onesimus for himself — heightens the sacrificial nature of the appeal.
Beloved
Approved rendering: பிரியமான
Transliteration: piriyamaana
Doctrine: Christian Brotherhood across Social Status
Original: ἀγαπητός
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:16 (ἀγαπητός). Intensifies “brother” — doubly true “in the flesh” and “in the Lord.”
Hospitality
Approved rendering: விருந்தோம்பல்
Transliteration: virundhombal
Doctrine: Hospitality and Ongoing Christian Community
Original: ξενία
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:22 (ξενία). A named virtue in the classical Tamil Thirukkural (Chapter 9) — a positive cultural asset, not a collision risk.
Fellow Captive
Approved rendering: உடன் சிறைப்பட்டவன்
Transliteration: udan siraippattavan
Doctrine: Fellowship and Partnership in Gospel Ministry
Original: συναιχμάλωτος
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:23 (συναιχμάλωτος), applied to Epaphras. A stronger term than bound_one_prisoner (δέσμιος); keep distinct to preserve the compound’s intensified sense.
Fellow Worker
Approved rendering: உடன்வேலையாள்
Transliteration: udan velaiyaal
Doctrine: Fellowship and Partnership in Gospel Ministry
Original: συνεργός
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:1 (Philemon himself) and 1:24 (Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke). Consistent with the established ஊழியக்காரர் word family.
Fellow Soldier
Approved rendering: உடன் போர்வீரன்
Transliteration: udan porveeran
Doctrine: Fellowship and Partnership in Gospel Ministry
Original: συστρατιώτης
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:2 (Archippus). Vivid military-service metaphor for shared gospel struggle; no destination-culture collision.
Sister
Approved rendering: சகோதரி
Transliteration: sagodhari
Doctrine: Christian Brotherhood across Social Status
Original: ἀδελφή
Category: Church
NEW term for Philemon 1:2 (Apphia). Feminine form of the established brother entry.
Paul
Approved rendering: பவுல்
Transliteration: Paul
Doctrine: Apostolic Authority Held in Voluntary Humility
NEW proper-name entry for Philemon (established Tamil Bible form). In this letter, note that Paul identifies himself as bound_one_prisoner (கட்டுண்டவன்), not அப்போஸ்தலன் (apostle) — a deliberate rhetorical choice.
Timothy
Approved rendering: தீமோத்தேயு
Transliteration: Theemotheyu
Doctrine: Fellowship and Partnership in Gospel Ministry
NEW proper-name entry for Philemon 1:1 (established Tamil Bible form), co-sender of the letter.
Philemon
Approved rendering: பிலேமோன்
Transliteration: Pilemon
Doctrine: Christian Brotherhood across Social Status
NEW proper-name entry (established Tamil Bible form). The letter’s recipient and Onesimus’s master; also the book/citation name (see 12_ai_translation_requirements.md citation convention).
Apphia
Approved rendering: அப்பியாள்
Transliteration: Appiyaal
Doctrine: Fellowship and Partnership in Gospel Ministry
NEW proper-name entry for Philemon 1:2 (established Tamil Bible form).
Archippus
Approved rendering: அர்க்கிப்பு
Transliteration: Arkkippu
Doctrine: Fellowship and Partnership in Gospel Ministry
NEW proper-name entry for Philemon 1:2 (established Tamil Bible form), called a “fellow soldier” (see fellow_soldier).
Epaphras
Approved rendering: எப்பாப்பிரா
Transliteration: Eppaappiraa
Doctrine: Fellowship and Partnership in Gospel Ministry
NEW proper-name entry for Philemon 1:23 (established Tamil Bible form), called a “fellow captive” (see fellow_captive).
Mark
Approved rendering: மாற்கு
Transliteration: Maarku
Doctrine: Fellowship and Partnership in Gospel Ministry
NEW proper-name entry for Philemon 1:24 (established Tamil Bible form).
Aristarchus
Approved rendering: அரிஸ்தர்க்கு
Transliteration: Aristharkku
Doctrine: Fellowship and Partnership in Gospel Ministry
NEW proper-name entry for Philemon 1:24 (established Tamil Bible form).
Demas
Approved rendering: தேமா
Transliteration: Theymaa
Doctrine: Fellowship and Partnership in Gospel Ministry
NEW proper-name entry for Philemon 1:24 (established Tamil Bible form).
Luke
Approved rendering: லூக்கா
Transliteration: Lookkaa
Doctrine: Fellowship and Partnership in Gospel Ministry
NEW proper-name entry for Philemon 1:24 (established Tamil Bible form).
Referenced passages