In brief
Apphia is a first-century Christian named only once in the Bible, in the second verse of Paul's letter to Philemon. Paul greets “the beloved Apphia” (other versions read sister) together with Philemon, Archippus and the church that met in the house. Many think she was Philemon's wife, but the text does not say so. What we remember is a woman recognized as a full member of God's family, tied to a letter about forgiveness and reconciliation.
What does the name Apphia mean?
Apphia is a name attested in Phrygia, the region of Colossae, and its meaning is not established with certainty. The Bible gives no explanation of it and presents her simply as “the beloved Apphia” (Philemon 1:2).
The story of Apphia
A letter addressed to a whole household
Philemon 1:1-3Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, writes with Timothy to Philemon, his beloved fellow worker. He also addresses the letter “to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house” (verse 2). Apphia is named right after Philemon and receives, with the others, grace and peace from God.
A church that meets in a house
Philemon 1:2, 4-7The believers gather in Philemon's house. Paul gives thanks for his faith in the Lord Jesus and for his love toward all the saints, whose hearts have been refreshed through him. Apphia belongs to this community that Paul greets, where the church meets and where brotherly love can be seen in concrete ways.
The request on behalf of Onesimus
Philemon 1:8-17Paul intercedes for Onesimus, whom he fathered in the faith during his imprisonment. He asks that Onesimus be received no longer as a slave, but as a beloved brother. Because the letter is also addressed to Apphia and to the church, this plea for reconciliation is brought before the whole community, and not only before Philemon.
Preparing a guest room
Philemon 1:22-25Paul ends by asking that a guest room be prepared for him, since he hopes to be restored to his readers through their prayers. The plural shows that he is counting on the prayers of the whole household. He passes on greetings from Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, then wishes that the grace of the Lord Jesus be with their spirit.
What Apphia teaches us
- In God's family, every believer, man or woman, is a recognized and beloved brother or sister.
- An open home can become a place where the church gathers and grows.
- Forgiveness and reconciliation concern the whole community, not only the people directly in conflict.
- The prayer of a whole household sustains God's servants in trial.
Key verses
Paul greets “the beloved Apphia” with Archippus and the church that meets in the house. It is the only verse in the Bible that names her.
Paul asks that Onesimus be received as a beloved brother. Apphia, who receives the letter, is invited with the whole household to live out this new brotherhood in Christ.
Paul asks that a guest room be prepared for him and counts on the prayers of all the recipients. The hospitality and intercession of this household serve the gospel.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about Apphia
Frequently asked questions
Was Apphia the wife of Philemon?
Many commentators think so, because Paul names her right after Philemon and before Archippus, in a letter addressed to a household. But the text does not say it. Paul calls her only “the beloved Apphia” (Philemon 1:2; many versions read sister). It is therefore more accurate to present this link as a probable hypothesis.
Why does Paul greet Apphia?
Paul greets Apphia because she is part of the community that will receive his letter. The forgiveness granted to Onesimus will not be a private matter: the whole household and the church will witness it. By naming her, Paul also recognizes her place as a sister in Christ, respected in the life of the church.
Where is Apphia found in the Bible?
Apphia is mentioned only once, in Philemon 1:2. To understand her context, read the whole letter to Philemon, which is very short, along with Colossians 4:9 and 4:17, which speak of Onesimus and Archippus and link these people to the church at Colossae.