Paul's Prison Epistles: Paul and PhilemonSample

The Others: Philemon 23-24

Paul mentioned Apphia and Archippus in the letter’s address, found in Philemon 1-2.  Consider what Paul wrote there:

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home (Philemon 1-2).

The mention of Apphia as Paul’s “sister” might simply indicate that she was a believer. But since she is distinguished from the rest of the church, it is more likely that she was a member of Philemon’s household — probably his wife. Archippus, in turn, may have been the host of the local church, although it is also possible to read this verse as saying that the church met in Philemon’s house. Whatever the case, given the nature of the letter, it is likely that he was mentioned as a person of some influence over Philemon, whether as a local pastor or as part of Philemon’s household.

With regard to Epaphras, he had been the one who established the church in Colosse and that the churches of the Lycus Valley had sent him to minister to Paul in prison. Because he was with Paul at the time, he could not serve as a local witness in Colosse. But his status in the church made his opinion particularly respected. So, Paul included a special greeting from Epaphras. Consider these words, found in Philemon 23 and 24:

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers (Philemon 23-24).

Notice that the greeting from Epaphras is listed first and that it is both longer than and distinct from the others. This emphasis on Epaphras let Philemon know that Epaphras was doing more than sending a greeting; he also had a keen interest in making sure that Philemon would respond properly to Paul’s letter.