Ἀπφία (Apphia)
Apphia
Apphia
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Apphia appears only once in the New Testament, in the greeting of Paul’s letter to Philemon (Philemon 2). It is a proper noun, identifying a specific individual within the early Christian community at Colossae.
Lexical sources suggest the name likely means "fruitful," though its exact etymology may be foreign. The text lists her alongside Philemon and Archippus as fellow workers in Christ, indicating she held a respected position in the house church. She is traditionally understood to be either Philemon’s wife or his sister, sharing in the leadership and hospitality that defined their household.
Her inclusion in the salutation highlights the role of women in the early church’s domestic gatherings. By naming her alongside male leaders, Paul acknowledges her status as a partner in the faith. This single reference preserves her identity as a faithful member of the Colossian congregation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Apphia is mentioned by name only once in the New Testament, found in the greeting of Paul’s letter to Philemon. She is described as a beloved sister and a fellow worker alongside Philemon and Archippus. This brief mention highlights her respected place within the early Christian community at Colossae.
Her inclusion in the salutation shows that women played active and valued roles in the house churches of the first century. Paul does not list her separately or subordinate her; instead, he names her as a partner in the faith. This reminds us that God’s work is carried out by many different people, each contributing their gifts to the body of Christ.
When we read about Apphia, we see a picture of shared leadership and mutual love. It encourages us to value every member of our spiritual family, recognizing that each person has a unique part to play in God’s plan. May we too be faithful in our small corners of the world, serving with the same dedication.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to Apphia1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἀπφίᾳ1×
Key Verses
-
Philemon 1:2
to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:
This verse uniquely places Apphia in the opening greeting alongside Philemon and Archippus, identifying her as a 'beloved sister' and fellow worker rather than just a passive recipient of the letter.