Apphia of Colossae

When did Apphia die?

Apphia of Colossae is dated d. c. 68 (trad., with Philemon) in the archive, which places Apphia in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.

Which early sources mention Apphia?

Apphia of Colossae is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Paul and John Chrysostom. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

Where was Apphia from?

The archive associates Apphia of Colossae with Colossae.

Who were Apphia’s contemporaries?

The archive links Apphia of Colossae to 3 other figures, including Philemon of Colossae, Onesimus and Archippus. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.

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

“Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our beloved and fellow-labourer, and to our beloved **Apphia**, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the Church in thy house.” … These things are said to a master in behalf of a servant. … Ver. 2. “And to our beloved Apphia.” **It seems to me that she was his partner in life.** [That one sentence is the whole of what Chrysostom says about her: he reads Apphia as Philemon’s wife. The Argument supplies the setting — that Philemon’s “whole household was of believers,” and that “his house was altogether a lodging for the Saints,” the church named in the salutation meeting in it. The archive previously cited the Argument for this mention; the Argument is the general introduction to the epistle and never names her. The comment falls at verse 2, in Homily I. Corrected.]