2. Our beloved Apphia (Amdia 7H dyamnrp). Read rq adehpy the (our) sister. Commonly supposed to have been Philemon’s wife. The word is not the common Roman name Appia, but is a Phrygian name, occurring frequently in Phryg- ian inscriptions. It is also written Aphphia, and sometimes A phia.
Archippus. Possibly the son of Philemon and Apphia. From Col. iv. 17 he would appear to have held some important office in the church, either at Colossae or at Laodicaea, which lay very near. In Colossians his name occurs immediately after the salutation to the Laodicaeans.
Fellow-soldier. In christian warfare. Perhaps at Ephes- us. Applied also to Epaphroditus, Philip. ii. 25.
The church in thy house. See on Rom. xvi. 5.
4, Thank—always. Oonstrue with thank. For similar in- troductory thanksgivings compare Rom. i. 8; 1 Cor. i. 4; Eph. i. 16; Philip. i. 3; Col. i. 3; 1 Thess. i. 2; 2 Thess. i. 3.
Making mention (uveay trovovmevos). Mvela primarily means remembrance, so that the phrase expresses the two ideas, mentioning thee when I call thee to mand.
In my prayers (é7r/). On the occasions of.
Thy love and faith—toward (apes) the Lord Jesus and toward (eis) all saints. The clauses are arranged crosswise,* love referring to saints, faith to Christ. Toward. Two dif- ferent prepositions are thus translated. Practically the differ- ence is not material, but mpés toward, with lotus faith is unusual. See 1 Thess. i. 8. Evs is the preposition of con- tact, to, unto ; faith exerted upon.
6. That (67@s). Connect with making mention.
The communication of thy taith (4 xowwvia rhs mloteds gov). Kowwvia fellowship is often used in the active sense of
* The rhetorical figure called chiasmus or cross-reference.
THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON. basal 76
wmpartation, as communication, contribution, almsgiving. So Rom. xv. 26; 2 Cor. ix. 13; Heb. xiii. 16. This is the sense here: the active sympathy and charity growing out of your faith.
May become effectual (évepyis). See on Jas. v.16. This adjective, and the kindred évepyéw to work, be effectual, évép- ynua working, operation, and évépyeva energy, power in exer- cise, are used in the New Testament only of superhuman power, good or evil. Compare Eph. i. 19; Matt. xiv. 2; Philip. ii. 13; 1 Cor, xii. 10; Heb. iv. 12.
In the knowledge (€v ézrvyv@cer). Jn denotes the sphere or element in which Philemon’s charity will become effective. His liberality and love will result in perfect knowledge of God’s good gifts. In the sphere of christian charity he will be helped to a full experience and appropriation of these. He that gives for Christ’s sake becomes enriched in the knowledge of Christ. Knowledge is full, perfect knowledge; an element of Paul’s prayer for his readers in all the four epistles of the captivity.
In you. Read in us.
In Christ Jesus (eis Xpictov Incody). Connect with may become effectual, and render, as Rev., unto Christ ; that is, unto Christ’s glory.
7. For we have (yap éyouev). Read éoyov IL had. Connect with J thank in ver. 4, giving the reason for thankfulness as it lay in his own heart; as, in ver. 5, he had given the reason which lay in outward circumstances.
Bowels (amAdyxva). Rev., hearts. See on1 Pet. iii. 8.
Are refreshed (avaméravta). See on Matt. xi. 28. Com- pare 1 Cor. xvi. 18; 2 Cor. vii. 13.
Brother. Closing the sentence with a word of affection. Compare Gal. iii. 15; vi. 1.
8. Wherefore. Seeing that I have these proofs of thy love Connect with J rather beseech (ver. 9).