Philemon 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: It seems in the highest degree probable that Apphia was Philemon's wife; probable, but in a lower degree, that Archippus was their son. The mention of a woman between two such men, one the apostle's "fellow labourer," the other his "fellow soldier," is a noble example of the spirit of the gospel (Galatians 3:28). It is an unobtrusive yet real hint of the elevation of woman, as the whole letter is of the release of the other victim of classical civilisation, the slave. "Thus, supported on both sides, she seems to have the place not of her own sex, but of her worth." (Bp. Wm. Alexander.) Parallel Verses KJV: And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:WEB: to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house: |
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