This is the eleventh post of twelve in my #12saints12days series. Support The ☧ost by becoming a subscriber today!
Soldier
Philemon is a Christian leader in Colossae, who hosted mass in his own house. The letter is co-authored by Saul and Timothy, who we have already seen is described in no uncertain military terms; a good-fighter of the faith who suffers as a Christian soldier should. A slave, Onesimus, has fled and Saul is publicly pressuring Philemon to deal more leniently with him.
The greetings are noteworthy, suggesting a strong connection to military themes beyond mere metaphor. Co-recipients are addressed along with Philemon, “Apphia our sister, to Archippus our systratiōtēs.” (v.2, fellow-soldier) According to recent scholarship almost every known instance of this word in Greek literature refers to actual soldiers. Saul uses this specific phrase in the hopes that it will tug on Philemon’s heartstrings, a closer translation might be “Archippus, our little trooper.” Where do most references to systratiōtēs occur? In letters between battle buddies sent to and from the frontlines. For veterans, it’s a gut check right in the feels - it evokes the scribbled epistles held by fellow soldiers to deliver to our widows and orphans in the event of our untimely deaths…
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