Philemon 1:2

And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: APPHIA - Latin, 'Appia.' The wife or some close relative of Philemon. She and Archippus, if they had not belonged to his family, would not have been included with Philemon in the address of a letter on a domestic matter. ARCHIPPUS - a minister of the Colossian church (). FELLOW-SOLDIER (). CHURCH IN THY HOUSE. In the absence of a regular church building, the houses of particular saints were used. Observe Paul's tact in associating with Philemon those associated by kindred or Christian brotherhood with his house, not going beyond it....

2._And to Archippus our fellow-soldier_. He next adds “Archippus,” who appears also to have been a minister of the Church; at least, if he be the same person who is mentioned towards the conclusion of the Epistle to the Colossians, (Colossians 4:17,) which is not at all improbable; for the designation — “fellow-soldier” — which he bestows on this latter individual, belongs peculiarly to ministers. Although the condition of a soldier belongs to all Christians universally, yet because teachers may be regarded as standardbearers in the warfare, they ought to be ready more than all others to fight, and Satan usually gives them greater annoyance. It is also possible, that Archippus attended and shared in some contests which Paul maintained; and, indeed, this is the very word that Paul makes use of, whenever he mentions persecutions. _And to the Church which is in thy house. _By

1-7 Faith in Christ, and love to him, should unite saints more closely than any outward relation can unite the people of the world. Paul in his private prayers was particular in remembering his friends. We must remember Christian friends much and often, as their cases may need, bearing them in our thoughts, and upon our hearts, before our God. Different sentiments and ways in what is not essential, must not make difference of affection, as to the truth. He inquired concerning his friends, as to the truth, growth, and fruitfulness of their graces, their faith in Christ, and love to him, and to all the saints. The good which Philemon did, was matter of joy and comfort to him and others, who therefore desired that he would continue and abound in good fruits, more and more, to God's honour....

Verse Philemon 1:2. APPHIA. απφια. Under the word απφα _Suidas_ says: Αδελφης και αδελφου ὑπακορισμα· _Appha_ is the affectionate address of a brother or sister; or the diminutive of a brother and sister, used to express kindness and affection. Hence the apostle, referring to the meaning of the word, says: Και Απφιᾳ τῃ αδελφῃ αγαπητῃ· _And to Apphia the beloved sister_. Though αδελοη _sister_, be not in our common text, it is found in AD*EFG, several others, the _Itala, Vulgate, Slavonic_, c. and is undoubtedly genuine. ARCHIPPUS, αρχιπηος. The _ruler_ or _master of the horse_; from αρχων, _a chief_, and ιππος, _a horse_. HEROES of old were, both among the Greeks and Trojans, celebrated for their skill in _managing_ and _taming the horse_, and employing him in _war_; this frequently occurs in Homer. The import o

AND TO OUR BELOVED APPHIA - This was a female (Greek ἀγαπητῇ agapētē), and was probably the wife of Philemon. AND ARCHIPPUS OUR FELLOW-SOLDIER - See the notes at Colossians 4:17. It has been supposed that he was a son of Philemon, and this would appear not to be improbable, as he was one of his family. On the term “fellow-soldier,” see the notes at Philippians 2:25. It is applied here to one who was a minister of the gospel, and who is spoken of in con nection with Paul as enlisted under the banners of the Captain of salvation, and waging a warfare with the wickedness of the world; compare the notes at...

EXPOSITION PHILEMON 1:1 A PRISONER OF CHRIST JESUS. He writes a private letter, as friend to friend, and therefore does not describe himself by his official title of apostle. Having to plead the cause of a _slave_,_ _he begins by putting himself into a similar position as the "bondman of Jesus Christ"—"to obtain thereby the more ready compliance" (Chrysostom). By such a reverend bondage he beseeches Philemon, "and the bondage of Paul was liberty to Onesimus" (Scipio Gentilis). TIMOTHY, etc. He was, then, with St. Paul at the time of writing; therefore at Rome; and this fixes the date of composition at all events before that of the Second Epistle to Timothy, when the apostle was again at Rome (2 Timothy 1:17;...

AND TO OUR BELOVED APPHIA,.... The Alexandrian copy reads, "to sister Apphia"; and the Vulgate Latin version, "to the beloved sister Apphia"; for this is a woman's name; and it is thought that she was the wife of Philemon, since she is placed next to him, and before Archippus, a minister of the word; and very prudently is she wrote to, and justly commended, in order to engage her to use her interest with her husband to receive his servant again, who otherwise might have stood against it, and been a very great hinderance to a reconciliation: this clause is wanting in the Ethiopic version: AND ARCHIPPUS OUR FELLOW SOLDIER; that this Archippus was a preacher of the Gospel at Colosse is manifest from 1 Thessalonians 4:17 wherefore the apostle styles him a fellow soldier; for though this character belongs to private Christians, who are enlisted as volunteers und

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATION _ 1. The greeting (Philemon 1:1)_ 2. Recognition of Philemon's faith and love (Philemon 1:4) 3. Concerning the reception of Onesimus (Philemon 1:8) 4.The conclusion (Philemon 1:22) Philemon 1:1 He speaks of himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus; the Lord had made him a prisoner. He addresses Philemon (meaning: friendly, loving), the beloved, and his fellow-laborer. Apphia was probably the wife of Philemon; Archippus is called “fellow soldier”; he ministered in the Colossian assembly ...

INTRODUCTORY. Paul writes from prison, sending greetings from himself and Timothy to Philemon a dear friend with whom he had worked probably during his stay in Ephesus Apphia (presumably Philemon's wife), and Archippus (Colossians 4:17, possibly his son) his spiritual comrade-in-arms, together with the brethren of their household. He is constantly hearing of the love and loyalty displayed by Philemon both towards the Lord Jesus and towards all the saints (Philemon 1:5): the hearts of God's people have been greatly cheered by his kindness, and the thought of one who in so true a sense is a brother has been a great joy and comfort to Paul (Philemon 1:7), so that it is with great thankfulness to God that he makes mention of

This is a letter from Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and from Timothy, the brother, to Philemon our well-beloved and our fellow-worker; and to Apphia, the sister, and to Archippus, our fellow-soldier, and to the Church in your house. Grace be to you and peace from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God when I make mention of you in my prayers, for I hear of your love and your faith, which you have to the Lord Jesus, and to all God's dedicated people. I pray that the kindly deeds of charity to which your faith moves you may be powerfully effective to increase your knowledge of every good thing that is in us and that brings us ever closer to Christ. You have brought me much joy and encouragement, because, my brother, the hearts of God's people have been refreshed by you. The letter to Philemon is extraordinary, for in it we see the extraordinary sight...