Apphia

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

(in some Manuscriptsand VSS[Note: SS Versions.] Aphphia or Appia )

A Christian lady of Colossae, designated by St. Paul ( Philemon 1:2) as ‘sister’ (ἁδελφῇ, so א ADE), in the Christian sense. Authorized Version, following inferior manuscripttestimony, substitutes ‘beloved’ (ἀγαπητῇ); some Manuscriptshave both words. Grotius regards the name as a softened and hellenized form of the Latin Appia  ; but Lightfoot ( Col. and Philem .3, 1879, p. 306) and Zahn ( Introd. to NT , 1909, i. 453) show that the name is Phrygian and is found in numerous ancient Phrygian inscriptions.

Most commentators (following Chrysostom and Theodoret) regard Apphia as Philemon’s wife, since otherwise her name either would not have been introduced at all in a private letter, or at least would have been put after the name of Archippus ( q.v. [Note: quod vide, which see.] ), who was an office-bearer. As the wife of Philemon, Apphia would have some claim to be consulted in such a matter as the forgiveness and emancipation of a slave. The possibility, however, of her being the sister (literally) of Philemon is not grammatically excluded if the reading ‘sister’ be accepted.

The ancient Greek Martyrology represents Apphia (along with Philemon) as suffering martyrdom under Nero on Nov. 22 (see Menœa for November).

Literature.-See under Philemon. Henry Cowan.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Ap'phia. (Fruitful). A Christian woman addressed jointly with Philemon and Archippus in  Philemon 1:2; apparently a member of Philemon's household, and not improbably his wife. (A.D. 57).

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Latin; Αppia . The wife, or close relative, of Philemon. She would not otherwise be mentioned with Philemon in the address ( Philemon 1:2), on a domestic matter.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

APPHIA . A Christian lady of Colossæ, a member of the household of Philemon, probably his wife (  Philippians 1:2 ).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

 Philippians 1:2 , supposed by some to have been the wife of Philemon.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Probably the wife of Philemon, whom Paul addresses in that epistle, ver. 2.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Philippians 1:2

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Acts 26:2

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(pron. Af'fia, Ἀπφία , prob. for Ἀππία , the Greek form of the Lat. name Appia), the name of a female affectionately saluted by Paul (A.D. 57) as a Christian at Colossee ( Philemon 1:2); supposed by Chrysostom and Theodoret to have been the wife of Philemon, with whom, according to tradition, she suffered martyrdom. (See Philemon).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

af´i a ap´fi a Ἀπφίᾳ Apphı́a Apphı́a  Philippians 1:2 Apphı́a Amphı́a Appı́a A C Col

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Ap´phia, the name of a woman ( Philemon 1:2) who is supposed by Chrysostom and Theodoret to have been the wife of Philemon.