Phlm 1:2

“"And to our beloved Apphia." It seems to me that she was his partner in life. Observe the humility of Paul; he both joins Timothy with him in his request, and asks not only the husband, but the wife also, and some one else, perhaps a friend.”

“"And Archippus," he says, "our fellow-soldier." Not wishing to effect such things by command, and not taking it ill, if he did not immediately comply with his request; but he begs them to do what a stranger might have done to aid his request. For not only the being requested by many, but the petition being urged to many, contributes to its being granted. And on this account he says, "And Archippus our fellow-soldier." If thou art a fellow-soldier, thou oughtest also to take a concern in these things. But this is the Archippus, about whom he says in his Epistle to the Colossians, "Say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it." (Col. iv. 17.) It seems to me too, that he, whom he joins with him in this request, was also one of the Clergy. And he calls him his fellow-soldier, that he may by all means cooperate with him.”

“"And to the Church in thy house." Here he has not omitted even the slaves. For he knew that often even the words of slaves have power to overthrow their master; and more especially when his request was in behalf of a slave. And perhaps it was they particularly who exasperated him. He does not suffer them therefore to fall into envy, having honored them by including them in a salutation with their masters. And neither does he allow the master to take offense. For if he had made mention of them by name, perhaps he would have been angry. And if he had not mentioned them at all, he might have been displeased. Observe therefore how prudently he has found a way by his manner of mentioning them, both to honor them by his mention of them, and not to wound him. For the name of the "Church" does not suffer masters to be angry, even though they are reckoned together with their servants. For the Church knows not the distinction of master and servant. By good actions and by sins she defines the one and the other. If then it is a Church, be not displeased that thy slave is saluted with thee. "For in Christ Jesus there is neither bond nor free." (Gal. iii. 28.)”

“I think that Archippus was the bishop of the church at Colossae.”

“Also to Apphia, the sister, not having anything false or imaginary in herself, and to Archippus, a fellow soldier whom I believe, along with Paul and Timothy, stood as a victorious opponent for Christ's name against adversaries and for this reason is now called a fellow soldier because he triumphed in the same battle and war. It is also written to the church that is in his house. But this [is] uncertain, whether [it refers to] the church which is in the house of Archippus, or [that] which is in the house of Philemon. But to me it seems that the person, to whom this letter is also addressed, should be referred not to Archippus, but to Philemon. For although Paul and Timothy jointly write to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and [the] church, yet in the following [part] it is [only] approved that only Paul write to Philemon, and speak of one with another. "I give thanks to my God always", "[and] making mention of thee." And you will find this way of writing in some of his letters: that although many [people] are introduced and mentioned in the preface, [only] one person, arguing, is [mentioned] throughout the whole body of the Epistle. That which the Apostle says when writing to the Galatians: that in Christ's faith there is no difference between a Gentile or a Jew, a man or a woman, a slave or a free man (Gal. 3:28): even in this place it is clear. For between two men and apostles, between Paul's co-worker and his comrade, the name of Apphia is inserted: in such a way that supported by such a company on both sides, it does not seem to indicate the order of sex but of merit.”

“Archippus is a deacon of the church, as suggested in Colossians 4:17.”

“Paul makes a point of greeting Philemon and Apphia equally. He wishes to indicate thereby that in no way is there a difference of faith or strength of faith between men and women.”

“Archippus was their son.”

“While keeping the social order here, Paul does not call some indiscriminate multitude "the church," but only those who are bound together in faith. This bond sets the frame for Paul's appeal in the letter.”

“He did not start off immediately by asking for grace, but he started off by admiring and applauding the man for his excellent love, and to praise him for his faith in the Lord, and also the other generous saints.”

“"And to Apphia, (our) beloved (sister), and to Archippus, our fellow soldier." Perhaps Apphia was the wife (of Philemon), and Archippus a friend. If he is a fellow soldier, then he will take part in this as well. This was the very same (Archippus) about whom he writes in the Epistle to the Colossians: "Say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received" (Col. 4:17). "And your household church." The apostle calls "church" all the believers in the house (of Philemon), including even the slaves. Notice the humility — he appeals to them as well, so that they might assist him in his request.”

“Then he mentions Archippus our fellow soldier, who was so powerful at Colossae that all Christians were under his protection. That is why he brings in the whole Church there, of which he was the bishop, writing in Colossians 4:17, 'And say to Archippus: "Look to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfil it."' And he calls Archippus 'fellow soldier' because all prelates are, as it were, spiritual soldiers of the Church. 2 Corinthians 10:4: 'For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal...' And to the church... He adds this in order to move him to hear plainly the expected good that is set forth, as was customary.”

“However, although Philemon was not a cleric, he nevertheless participated in the needs of the Church out of devotion, hence he says that he is a participant in these labors. For there are indeed many who, although worthy, excuse themselves, judging themselves unworthy of such a ministry; hence they appear truly worthy.”

“"and to Apphia our beloved, and Archippus". Perhaps Apphia was the wife of Philemon, and Archippus. But see the humility, for it also urges these to join in the supplication. "our fellow soldier". If a fellow soldier, he also struggles in this. This is the one about whom he writes to the Colossians: Tell Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received." (Co. 4:17) "and to the church in your house". He invites the whole household, and slaves.”