Paul begins his letter addressed to Philemon by letting his recipients know who the senders are. Paul described himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. He wrote and sent this letter to Philemon when he was under house arrest in Rome while he was waiting for his appeal to Caesar.

The second author mentioned was “Timothy our brother”. Timothy was a half-Jewish, half-Greek believer from the Galatian town of either Lystra or Derbe. Paul met Timothy on his second missionary journey when he visited the area (Acts 16:1-3a)

So begins their journey together.

The next person addressed is Philemon. Philemon was a wealthier Christian who lived in the city of Colossae. After coming to faith he began serving the cause of Christ in the Colossian community, opening his home to be the church that Paul is referring to here in this greeting.

Apphia is not mentioned anywhere else in scripture. Her name means “productive” or “fruitful.” She is described as our sister. This too indicates that Apphia belongs to the family of Jesus.

Paul and Timothy addressed Archippus as our fellow soldier.

This address to Archippus as a fellow soldier indicates he was a fellow champion and dedicated follower of Jesus whose efforts did much to protect and advance the gospel message to which Paul was appointed as an apostle.

The emphasis of this salutation is that they all shared service to a common leader/general (Jesus) in a mission to which they had dedicated their lives.

Let us read this passage and go forth as fellow soldiers in service to our leader, Jesus Christ.

-Patti Zoppi

[Philemon 1.1-3]

1.1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What else can we glean from Paul and Timothy’s greeting and how we interact with fellow believers?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?