Robertson Word Pictures - Philemon 1:2 - 1:2

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Robertson Word Pictures - Philemon 1:2 - 1:2


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

To Apphia our sister (Apphiāi tēi adelphēi). Dative case in address. A common name in Phrygian inscriptions and apparently the wife of Philemon. “Sister” is in the Christian sense.

To Archippus (Archippōi). Dative case in address. It is uncertain whether he is the son of Philemon or not. Apparently he is prominent in the church in Colossae, possibly even pastor, probably not in Laodicea as some understand Col 4:17 to imply.

Fellow-soldier (sunstratiōtēi). Old word, only here and Phi 2:25 in N.T. In metaphorical sense. Perhaps while Paul was in Ephesus.

To the church in thy house (tēi kat' oikon sou ekklēsiāi). The church that met in the house of Philemon. In large cities there would be several meeting-places. Before the third century there is no certain evidence of special church buildings for worship (White, Exp. Grk. T.). See note on Act 12:12 for Mary’s house in Jerusalem, 1Co 16:19 for the house of Aquila and Prisca in Ephesus, Rom 16:5 for the house of Prisca and Aquila in Rome, Col 4:15 for the house of Nympha in Laodicea.