And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

People's New Testament

1:2 Our beloved Apphia. Supposed to have been Philemon's wife.

And Archippus. The connection has suggested that he was Philemon's son. He was no doubt a minister. See Col 4:17.

The church in thy house. As the early church had no houses of worship, it met in private houses.

Wesley's Notes

1:2 To Apphia - His wife, to whom also the business in part belonged. And the church in thy house - The Christians who meet there.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2. Apphia-the Latin, "Appia"; either the wife or some close relative of Philemon. She and Archippus, if they had not belonged to his family, would not have been included with Philemon in the address of a letter on a domestic matter.

Archippus-a minister of the Colossian Church (Col 4:17).

fellow soldier-(2Ti 2:3).

church in thy house-In the absence of a regular church building, the houses of particular saints were used for that purpose. Observe Paul's tact in associating with Philemon those associated by kindred or Christian brotherhood with his house, and not going beyond it.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

1:1-7 Faith in Christ, and love to him, should unite saints more closely than any outward relation can unite the people of the world. Paul in his private prayers was particular in remembering his friends. We must remember Christian friends much and often, as their cases may need, bearing them in our thoughts, and upon our hearts, before our God. Different sentiments and ways in what is not essential, must not make difference of affection, as to the truth. He inquired concerning his friends, as to the truth, growth, and fruitfulness of their graces, their faith in Christ, and love to him, and to all the saints. The good which Philemon did, was matter of joy and comfort to him and others, who therefore desired that he would continue and abound in good fruits, more and more, to God's honour.