Philemon 1:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:

NIV: also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:

NASB: and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

CSB: to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home.

NLT: and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.

KJV: And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

NKJV: to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

Two people and one important group are mentioned in this verse. Apphia was likely the wife of Philemon, and a convert to Christianity, as she is called "sister." Archippus was probably Philemon and Apphia's son, and also a strong Christian, whom Paul calls a "fellow soldier." This is not a reference to serving in the military, since Paul and Timothy were not members of an earthly army. Rather, this is a spiritual description. In Colossians 4:17 Archippus is told to fulfill the ministry he had been given by God. So, he clearly had some calling as a Christian leader among his peers.

The group mentioned is the church which met in Philemon's home. This is a reference to the Colossians' church, a group which also received a Prison Epistle from Paul. The fact that this church met in Philemon's home implies that his house was fairly large. This also says something about Philemon's hospitality. The church in Colossae consisted of Gentiles (Colossians 1:27) who likely used Greek as their main language. Some false teachings were promoted in their area (Colossians 2:16–23). The Colossian Christians had been trapped in sinful lives prior to coming to faith in Jesus (Colossians 3:5–11), but were now changed. Their fellowship time included singing (Colossians 3:16), and a diverse group of young and old, freedmen and slaves, men and women (Colossians 3:18–22).

Philemon 1:1–3 introduces Paul’s letter written to Philemon, the owner of a runaway slave named Onesimus. Philemon was a member of the church in Colossae, which met in his home. Paul uses his customary greetings, which imply shared faith and a common Savior. The introduction also mentions Timothy, who is with Paul at the time the letter is written.

Philemon is a letter from Paul, regarding a runaway slave named Onesimus. Paul respectfully requests that Philemon forgive his runaway slave, free him, and allow him to serve Christ without restrictions. Philemon was a prominent figure in the church of Colossae. Paul goes so far as to ask Philemon to charge any debts owed by Onesimus to Paul himself.

Philemon is short enough that it only contains a single chapter. Because Paul knows Philemon personally, and has only positive things to say about him, there is no need for a lengthy discussion. Paul appeals to Philemon to forgive and release his runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus, a convert to Christianity, seems be the one sent to deliver this letter to his former master.

Philemon is one of the shorter books in the Bible, but it contains some important information. The Christian concept of slavery cannot be understood without a proper review of this letter. Paul recognizes the facts of slavery in his era, and does not command Philemon to release Onesimus. However, he does appeal to the unity we share in Christ as a reason for Philemon to set this man free.