Philemon 1:23

ʼΑσπάζεταί. Colossians 4:10, note.

σε. Philemon as head of the household. Perhaps he was known personally to most or some of those about to be mentioned. Probably only Epaphras knew others of those addressed in Philemon 1:1-3.

Ἐπαφρᾶς. Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:12†. He is mentioned first, as belonging to Colossae, and also perhaps as being now by St Paul’s side.

ὁ συναιχμάλωτός μου. Colossians 4:10; cf. Romans 16:7†. In Col. of Aristarchus, not Epaphras; see note there.

ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Almost certainly not with ἀσπάζεται (e.g. 1 Corinthians 16:19) but with συναιχμάλωτος. Cf. Philemon 1:1; Philemon 1:9, and esp. Ephesians 4:1. It suggests that Epaphras had taken on the imprisonment with Paul for Christ’s sake; cf. Chrysostom ἐν Χ. Ἰ., ἀντὶ τοῦ, διὰ Χριστόν.