Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Apphia is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Apostle Paul's Epistle to Philemon. Her name appears in the salutation of the letter, which is addressed to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church that meets in their home. The relevant passage is Philemon 1:1-2 : "Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your house."Identity and Role Apphia is referred to as "our sister," indicating her status as a fellow believer and possibly a prominent member of the early Christian community. The context of the letter suggests that she may have been closely associated with Philemon, possibly as his wife or a relative, although the text does not explicitly state this relationship. Her inclusion in the greeting alongside Philemon and Archippus implies that she held a significant role within the house church, which was a common setting for early Christian worship and fellowship. Cultural and Historical Context In the cultural and historical context of the early church, women often played vital roles in the spread of Christianity and the nurturing of local congregations. The mention of Apphia in such a personal and direct manner by Paul highlights the importance of women in the early Christian movement. The house church setting was a primary venue for worship, teaching, and community life, and women like Apphia would have been integral to the hospitality and functioning of these gatherings. Theological Significance Theologically, Apphia's mention in the Epistle to Philemon underscores the inclusive nature of the early Christian community, where distinctions of gender, social status, and ethnicity were transcended in Christ. Her role as a "sister" in the faith reflects the familial language used by Paul to describe the bonds between believers, emphasizing unity and mutual support within the body of Christ. Apphia in Church Tradition While the biblical text provides limited information about Apphia, church tradition has sometimes identified her as a martyr, although these accounts are not substantiated by the canonical scriptures. Such traditions reflect the esteem in which she was held by later generations of Christians, who recognized her as a model of faith and dedication. In summary, Apphia is a notable figure in the New Testament, representing the active participation and leadership of women in the early church. Her mention in the Epistle to Philemon highlights the collaborative nature of early Christian ministry and the essential contributions of women to the life and growth of the church. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary ApphiaSmith's Bible Dictionary Apphia(fruitful) a Christian woman addressed jointly with Philemon and Archippus in Phil. 2; apparently a member of Philemon's household, and not improbably his wife. (A.D. 57) ATS Bible Dictionary ApphiaPhilemon 1:2, supposed by some to have been the wife of Philemon. Easton's Bible Dictionary Increasing, a female Christian at Colosse (Philemon 1:2), supposed by some to have been the wife of Philemon. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia APPHIAaf'-i-a, ap'-fi-a (Apphia, dative case of Apphia; in Philemon 1:2, though Apphia, Amphia, and Appia, also occur): A Christian of Colosse, probably the wife of Philemon; certainly a member of his household, greeted as "the sister" the Revised Version, margin. In the Greek church, November 22 is sacred to her memory. It has been supposed, since this epistle concerns one household exclusively, that Apphia was Philemon's wife and the mother or sister of Archippus (which see). She was stoned to death with Philemon, Onesimus, and Archippus in the reign of Nero. (See Lightfoot, Col., 372.) Greek 682. Apphia -- Apphia, a Christian woman in Colossae ... 681, 682. Apphia. 683 . Apphia, a Christian woman in Colossae. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Apphia Phonetic ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/682.htm - 6k Library The Epistle to Philemon Philemon i. 3-Jan The Epistle to Philemon. Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. The Supremacy of Christ Rom. xv. 25-27 The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians --The Epistle of ... Thesaurus Apphia (1 Occurrence)... Increasing, a female Christian at Colosse (Philemon 1:2), supposed by some to have been the wife of Philemon. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. APPHIA. ... /a/apphia.htm - 7k Ap'phia (1 Occurrence) Archippus (2 Occurrences) Fellowsoldier (2 Occurrences) Fellow-soldier (2 Occurrences) Meets (17 Occurrences) Philemon (2 Occurrences) Comrade (9 Occurrences) Archip'pus (2 Occurrences) Appetites (3 Occurrences) Resources Who was Archippus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Philemon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Apphia (1 Occurrence)Philemon 1:2 Subtopics Apphia: A Christian at Colossae Related Terms |
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