Philemon 1:4-7·~1 min

Philemon’s Faith and Love

Paul says he always thanks God for Philemon in prayer because of Philemon's faith in the Lord Jesus and love for all the saints. He prays that Philemon's participation in the faith will become effective through full recognition of the good things believers share in Christ. Paul then says that Philemon's love has brought him great joy and encouragement because Philemon has refreshed the hearts of the saints. The paragraph praises Philemon not flippantly but in a way that draws his known character into the coming request.

I⁴ always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers, ⁵because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. ⁶I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ. ⁷I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Section summaryPaul gives thanks for Philemon's faith in the Lord Jesus and love for all the saints, praying that his participation in the faith would become effective through a fuller grasp of every good thing in Christ. He expresses joy and encouragement because Philemon has refreshed the hearts of the saints. The section prepares the way for Paul's appeal by commending the very qualities he will ask Philemon to display again.

Role in the chapterThis section affirms Philemon's character and prepares the moral groundwork for the appeal concerning Onesimus.