Philemon 1:2 kjv
And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
Philemon 1:2 nkjv
to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
Philemon 1:2 niv
also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier?and to the church that meets in your home:
Philemon 1:2 esv
and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:
Philemon 1:2 nlt
and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.
Philemon 1 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 16:1 | I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church... | Example of "sister" referring to a fellow believer and a valued servant. |
| 1 Cor 9:5 | Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles... | "Sister" can refer to a believing woman or wife, emphasizing spiritual kinship. |
| James 2:15-16 | If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food... | Highlights practical care for "brothers" and "sisters" within the Christian community. |
| Matt 12:49-50 | stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” | Jesus redefines family bonds based on spiritual obedience, reinforcing "sister" as spiritual kinship. |
| 2 Sam 1:23 | Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!... swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. | Poetic reference to valiant fighters; "fellow soldier" implies strength and bravery for Christ. |
| 1 Chr 20:5-8 | And again there was war with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan... killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath... | Warfare imagery often appears in OT; "fellow soldier" brings this intensity to spiritual battle. |
| Phil 2:25 | I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier... | Direct parallel to Paul's use of "fellow soldier" for a co-laborer in the gospel, indicating deep partnership. |
| 2 Tim 2:3-4 | Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits... | Emphasizes the disciplined, focused commitment required of a "soldier" for Christ. |
| Eph 6:11-12 | Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood... | "Fellow soldier" implies engagement in spiritual warfare against unseen forces. |
| Rom 16:3-5 | Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers... Greet also the church in their house. | Example of a specific couple hosting a "church in their house," common practice. |
| 1 Cor 16:19 | The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house... | Another instance of a "church in their house," highlighting the household as a locus of Christian gathering. |
| Col 4:15 | Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. | Further evidence of "church in house," underscoring its prevalence in the early church. |
| Acts 2:46-47 | Day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes... praising God... | Describes early church believers meeting "in their homes" for fellowship and worship. |
| Acts 5:42 | And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. | Demonstrates the centrality of "house-to-house" ministry and gatherings in early evangelism. |
| Acts 12:12 | When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. | A specific instance of believers gathering in a home for prayer. |
| Rom 16:16 | Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. | The act of greeting entire "churches" (even household ones) was common. |
| Gal 6:10 | So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. | "Household of faith" emphasizes the communal and familial nature of believers. |
| Col 4:17 | And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord." | A direct cross-reference involving Archippus, suggesting he held a position of responsibility or ministry. |
| Heb 12:12-13 | Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. | Metaphorical call to persevere, relatable to the imagery of "fellow soldier" in spiritual struggles. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. | Encourages believers, like Apphia and Archippus, to use their gifts in service to the community. |
Philemon 1 verses
Philemon 1 2 Meaning
Philemon 1:2 continues Paul's salutation, extending his greeting beyond Philemon to include Apphia, whom he calls "our sister," and Archippus, whom he addresses as "our fellow soldier." It then broadly addresses "the church in your house," indicating that the letter, though personal, had a communal dimension. This comprehensive greeting establishes the context for the appeal regarding Onesimus, signaling that the matter is of shared concern and will be presented to a group, not just an individual. It highlights the spiritual familial bonds and shared mission among early believers.
Philemon 1 2 Context
Philemon 1:2 is part of Paul's introductory salutation (Phlm 1:1-3) in his intensely personal letter to Philemon. After identifying himself and Timothy as senders and Philemon as a recipient in verse 1, Paul immediately expands the addressees in verse 2 to include Apphia and Archippus, and "the church in your house." This expansion is significant because the central matter of the letter—Paul's plea for Philemon to receive back his runaway slave, Onesimus, as a brother in Christ—is highly sensitive and has implications beyond just Philemon personally.
Historically and culturally, early Christian communities frequently met in homes due to lack of dedicated worship spaces and, in some cases, necessity due to persecution. Such gatherings fostered close relationships and shared responsibility among believers. By addressing the entire "church in your house," Paul implies that the decision regarding Onesimus's reception would not be a private matter but a communal one, possibly to be read aloud to the entire household assembly. This ensures that the whole community is aware of Paul's apostolic appeal for reconciliation and can support Philemon in his challenging decision. Archippus is also mentioned in Colossians 4:17, indicating his significance in the broader Christian community, potentially even serving in a leadership capacity. Apphia, likely Philemon's wife, would have been key in the household dynamic and decision-making process concerning a returning slave. This broad greeting underscores the communal support system and shared spiritual identity integral to early Christian life.
Philemon 1 2 Word analysis
- and to Apphia (καὶ Ἀπφίᾳ, kai Apphia):
- Word: Apphia is a common feminine name in antiquity, likely derived from the Latin Appia.
- Significance: Her inclusion suggests she was an important figure in the household and the local church, likely Philemon's wife or a prominent female member. Her role in welcoming Onesimus back would be crucial for a smooth integration, especially given social norms where women often managed household affairs. Her name is prominently listed alongside male figures, which indicates her high standing among the early believers.
- our sister (τῇ ἀδελφῇ, tē adelphē):
- Word: adelphē (sister) in Greek. While literally meaning a biological sister, in the New Testament, it frequently refers to a spiritual sister, a female fellow believer in Christ.
- Significance: This term emphasizes the spiritual kinship and familial bond shared among believers, transcending earthly relationships and social status. It underscores the profound equality and mutual affection within the early Christian community, reflecting Christ's teaching about a spiritual family (Matt 12:49-50).
- and to Archippus (καὶ Ἀρχίππῳ, kai Archippō):
- Word: Archippus is a Greek name. He is also mentioned in Colossians 4:17 as someone who "fulfilled the ministry" he received in the Lord.
- Significance: His specific mention implies a role of significance in the church, possibly Philemon's son, a household member, or a leader/minister in Colossae (given the geographical proximity of Colossae to Philemon's likely residence). His inclusion adds another respected voice to the reception of the letter and Onesimus's subsequent welcome. The dual mention in Philemon and Colossians strengthens the connection between these two letters.
- our fellow soldier (τῷ συστρατιώτῃ, tō systratiōtē):
- Word: systratiōtēs (fellow soldier). A strong military metaphor combining syn (with/together) and stratiōtēs (soldier).
- Significance: Paul uses this term elsewhere (Phil 2:25 for Epaphroditus) to denote a close partner in ministry, someone who shares the hardships, struggles, dangers, and mission of spiritual warfare for the Gospel. It implies a shared commitment to Christ's cause, often involving sacrifice and endurance. This highlights Archippus's dedication and Paul's high regard for him in the spiritual battle.
- and to the church in your house (καὶ τῇ κατ᾽ οἶκόν σου ἐκκλησίᾳ, kai tē kat' oikon sou ekklesia):
- Words-group: ekklesia (church, assembly, congregation) and kat' oikon sou (in your house, according to your house).
- Significance: This phrase is key to understanding the setting of early Christian worship. Before the construction of dedicated church buildings, believers regularly met in private homes for fellowship, teaching, breaking bread, and prayer (Acts 2:46). "The church in your house" identifies the specific local gathering of believers that met in Philemon's home. By addressing them, Paul indicates that the letter's contents, while deeply personal to Philemon, were intended to be heard and considered by the broader community of believers who would influence or be impacted by Philemon's decision regarding Onesimus. This emphasizes the communal aspect of Christian life and ethical decision-making. It ensures transparency and communal accountability in handling sensitive matters like the reintegration of Onesimus.
Philemon 1 2 Bonus section
The deliberate expansion of the recipients beyond Philemon hints at Paul's strategic foresight. By including the entire household church, Paul ensured that Philemon's response to Onesimus would not only reflect on Philemon's character but also serve as a visible testament to the radical transforming power of the Gospel within their Christian community. This collective address places an informal "public" pressure on Philemon to act in a manner consistent with Christ's teachings of love and forgiveness, setting a vital example for all present in "the church in your house." It also signifies Paul's understanding that such a significant decision needed communal support and witness, solidifying the idea that Christian faith is lived out corporately, not just individually.
Philemon 1 2 Commentary
Philemon 1:2 elaborates Paul's initial address, transforming a private appeal into a communal concern. By greeting Apphia and Archippus specifically, and then "the church in your house," Paul broadens the audience for his upcoming plea concerning Onesimus. Apphia, likely Philemon's wife, suggests a key domestic partner in receiving Onesimus, emphasizing family and hospitality. Archippus, a "fellow soldier," indicates shared commitment to the Gospel and potentially a local church leader, suggesting a shared burden of ministry and the gravity of the decision at hand. The explicit mention of "the church in your house" underscores that the early Christian community primarily gathered in homes. This implied public reading of the letter would transform Philemon's intensely personal decision about Onesimus into an object lesson in Christian forgiveness and reconciliation for the entire assembly. This approach created an atmosphere of collective encouragement and moral persuasion, highlighting that Christian ethics are not lived in isolation but within the supporting context of the body of believers. This familial and military language—"sister" and "fellow soldier"—reinforces the deep bonds of spiritual kinship and shared purpose among Christ's followers.