Recipient of Paul's letter to Philemon
Apphia
Named in 1 verse of Philemon, first in Philemon 1:2.
ἈπφίαApphia
The name means “productive; fruitful.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Apphia Written by AI
Apphia is mentioned in the opening of Paul's letter to Philemon as one of the recipients of the letter, along with Philemon and Archippus. Paul addresses her as "our sister," indicating that she was a fellow believer and likely a member of Philemon's household. Some scholars suggest that Apphia may have been Philemon's wife, but this is not explicitly stated in the text. The letter to Philemon is a personal appeal from Paul regarding Onesimus, a runaway slave who had become a Christian under Paul's ministry. Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon, his master, with this letter, urging Philemon to receive Onesimus back not as a slave, but as a beloved brother in Christ. By addressing the letter to Apphia and Archippus as well, Paul emphasizes the communal nature of the request and the shared responsibility of the Christian community in welcoming Onesimus. Beyond this mention in the letter to Philemon, no further details about Apphia's life or role in the early church are provided in the Bible.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Increasing, a female Christian at Colosse (Philemon 1:2), supposed by some to have been the wife of Philemon.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names her
- Philemon 1:2
to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your house:
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.