Philemon 1:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"And Archippus our fellow soldier." If you are a fellow soldier, then you must take part here as well. This is the same Archippus of whom he says in the Epistle to the Colossians: "Say to Archippus, See that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the Lord" (Col 4:17).

It seems to me that he belonged to the clergy. Therefore the Apostle addresses his request to him also and calls him a fellow soldier, so that he may assist in every way.

"And to the church in your house." Here he did not overlook the slaves. He knew that the words of slaves can often persuade the master, especially when the request concerns a slave. Besides, perhaps they had especially provoked the master's anger.

Therefore, not wishing them to fall into envy, he honored them also with the greeting together with their masters. Yet he gave the master no cause for offense.

If he had named the slaves individually, perhaps Philemon would have been offended. If he had not mentioned them at all, they would have been displeased. See, then, how wisely he mentioned them, honored them by remembering them, and did not irritate him.

The name "Church" does not allow masters to be offended when they are placed together with slaves. Indeed, the Church knows no distinction between master and slave. She distinguishes both by virtues and vices.

Therefore, if your house is a Church, do not be offended that a slave is placed with you. "In Christ Jesus there is neither slave nor free" (Gal 3:28).

If I had chosen rest for myself, had not gone throughout the world, and had not offered the Gospel to all men, I would not have experienced this.

He praises Philemon by calling him a fellow worker. He also joins Philemon's wife to him as a sharer in the faith. Perhaps, had she not been mentioned, she would have opposed what was written in the epistle.

The teaching of them had been entrusted to Archippus. Concerning him the Apostle also wrote to the Colossians: "Say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it" (Col 4:17).

He made him a participant in his request. Moreover, he included the whole household, which he called a church because it was distinguished by piety. Thus the servants, honored with apostolic regard, might also become fellow helpers in persuasion.

Thus blessed Paul called Philemon's wife "beloved," since she was adorned with faith. Let no one be surprised, though some today are offended by this greeting.

Because they have abused the thing itself, they have made even the name reproachful. But in ancient times this word was honorable and praiseworthy.

That means his family and household, and also all those Christians who had spiritual communion with this house through prayer and the other consolations of faith.

In these last words St. John Chrysostom sees a reference to slaves, and therefore says: "See how wisely Paul mentioned the slaves. He remembered them, and yet did not irritate him, Philemon. For calling the whole house a Church does not allow masters to be offended.

Indeed, the Church knows no distinction between master and slave. She distinguishes both by virtues and vices. Having reminded him of grace, the Apostle brings Philemon's sins to mind. Think, he says, how many sins the Lord has forgiven you.

Think how you were saved by grace, and imitate the Lord. Look also at Paul's humility. He joins Timothy to his request, and asks not only the husband, but also the wife, and probably another friend, Archippus from the clergy.

For a request made both by many and to many helps obtain its aim. And when one hears of the bonds of Christ, who would not give his very soul, and not merely one slave?"

“And to Archippus, our fellow soldier.” A fellow soldier is one who fights in one and the same army with the Apostle. The Apostles warred against ignorance and ungodliness. By the heavenly weapons of their warfare, they brought all under the yoke of the faith of Christ.

Archippus also fought in this same spirit and direction, in a small circle among the Colossians. For this reason Saint Paul called him a fellow soldier. One must suppose that the teaching and governance of the Church of Colossae were entrusted to him after Philemon declined this.

But what was he to Philemon: son, brother, uncle, friend? It is evident that he belonged to the same household. Whoever he was, it is enough to know that he was a person worthy to have care for a whole Church entrusted to him.

Saint Chrysostom says of him: “This is the same Archippus concerning whom Paul says in the Epistle to the Colossians: ‘And say to Archippus: Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it,’ Col 4:17. It seems to me that he was among the clergy.” Theodoret says: “The teaching had been entrusted to him.” Therefore the Apostle addresses the request to him also and calls him “fellow soldier,” so that by his assistance he may attain his purpose. For if he is a fellow soldier, then he must take part here also, as though saying: you fight together in the work of the Gospel; fight here also.

“See Paul’s humility. He joins Timothy to himself in his request. He asks not only the husband, but also the wife, and another person as well, probably a friend. He does not wish to attain what he desires by command. Nor does he show indignation if Philemon does not immediately obey his command. He acts like an unknown man, disposing them also to do the same and strengthen his request. For not only a request from many, but also a request addressed to many, helps in obtaining what is asked.”

“And to the church in your house.” “The Apostle calls all the believers in the house the church, including the servants also,” says Theophylact.

He does not overlook the servants, for he knew that the words of servants can often persuade the master, especially when the request concerns a servant. Perhaps they in particular were stirring up the master’s grief against Onesimus.

By honoring them with a greeting together with the masters, the Apostle does not allow them to fall into envy of the one receiving mercy. Theodoret says: “He disposes them also to become his fellow workers in persuasion, since they have been counted worthy of apostolic honor.”

At the same time, he did not give the master occasion to be offended. If he had named the servants individually, the master might perhaps have been offended. If he had not mentioned them at all, perhaps he would have remained displeased.

Therefore see how wisely Paul, by mentioning the servants, both honored them by his remembrance and did not irritate him. For the name “church,” applied to the whole house, does not allow the masters to be offended when they are placed together with servants.

Truly the Church knows no distinction between master and servant. She distinguishes one from the other by virtue and vice. Therefore, if your house is a church, do not be offended that the servant is placed together with you. For “in Christ Jesus there is neither slave nor free,” Gal 3:28, says Saint Chrysostom.