The Book Of Philemon Commentary; Part 1 Series

Archippus our fellow soldier, was a minister in the church at Colossae and was probably one of Paul's assistants. He had some gifts of the Spirit and devoted himself to the ministry's work in Colossae. That Archippus was a preacher of the Gospel at Colossae is evident from (Colossians 4:17[3]); therefore, the apostle describes him as a fellow soldier; for though this character belongs to private Christians, who are enlisted as volunteers under Christ, the Captain of salvation, and fight under his banners, against sin, Satan, and the world, being furnished[4] with the whole armor of God, and are more than conquerors through Christ that has loved them; yet it very eminently belongs to the ministers of the gospel, who are more especially called upon, to endure hardness, as good soldiers of Christ; to war, good warfare, to fight the good fight of faith; and besides the above enemies common to all believers, to engage with false teachers, and earnestly contend for the faith of the gospel, so that it may continue with the saints. Now this man was in the same company and in the same service, engaged in the same common cause, against the same enemies, and under the same Captain, expecting the same crown of immortality and glory. Therefore he calls him his fellow soldier. The apostle wisely dedicates this epistle to him, that he might use the influence he had with Philemon, and Archippus, to bring this matter to a close. Next, the apostle writes about the church in Philemon's house.

And to the church in your house: not in the house of Archippus, but the house of Philemon, and does not mean the church at Colossae, though it met at his home; but his own family, which because their great piety and religion marked them as Christians, and for the excellent order and dignity in which they were like a church, and here again the apostle acts wisely, to make his point, by taking notice of them, who might be those that have been injured or disrespected by Onesimus, when was with them; and so entertained some resentment against him, and might put a bar in the way of his reception into the family again.

3. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace to you – The word "Grace" means "favor." It is often employed in the New Testament, where it is used in the sense of benevolence, happiness, or a prosperous state of affairs. The Christian religion is the highest expression of generosity or favor of God. The happiness which Christianity confers on its friends in this and the future life are numerous: the apostolic office; charity, or alms; thanksgiving; joy, or pleasure; and the benefits produced on the Christian's heart and life by religion - the grace of humility, patience, charity, etc. In this place, and similar places at the beginning of the apostolic epistles, it seems to be a word including all those blessings that apply to Christians in common; denoting an ardent wish that all the mercies and favors of God for time and eternity, blended under the general name grace, may be conferred on them. It is to be understood as connected with a word implying supplication. I pray, or I desire, that grace, etc., may be conferred on you. It is the customary form of salutation in nearly all the apostolic epistles; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; Philippians 1:3.