Fathers

Philemon 1

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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints, that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus. For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate, yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus, who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me. I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News. But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will. For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides). Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord. Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say. Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

Philemon 1:2

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"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. …

Homily on Philemon 1 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"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. …

Commentary on Philemon ↗

Oecumenius

"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.

Commentary On Philemon ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

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. …

Commentary on Philemon ↗

Thomas Aquinas

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... …

Commentary on Philemon ↗