Bible Dictionary
Apphia
Apphia was a Christian associated with Philemon’s household at Colossae. She was probably Philemon’s wife and was greeted with him and Archippus in Paul’s letter.
Definition
Apphia was a Christian woman associated with Philemon’s household at Colossae. She was probably Philemon’s wife and was greeted with Philemon and Archippus.
Biblical Usage
Paul addressed Apphia in the letter to Philemon, calling her a Christian member of the household and, in the supplied material, a sister.
Historical Background
Her precise relationship to Philemon and Archippus is uncertain, though she is generally considered a member of Philemon’s household.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Increasing, a female Christian at Colosse (Philemon 1:2), supposed by some to have been the wife of Philemon.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(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)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>af'-i-a, ap'-fi-a (Apphia, dative case of Apphia; in Phm 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.)</p>