4I give thanks to my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, [1:5] hearing of your love and the faith you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, [1:6] so that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ. [1:7] For I had great joy and encouragement over your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
PHM 1:4-7
Philemonʼs Faith and Love
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman world, (fellowship) was not merely social interaction but a binding partnership rooted in shared resources and mutual obligations. Philemon’s of faith would have been understood as an active, tangible expression of his commitment to Christ and the community. The term (effective) underscores that his faith was dynamic, producing visible results in the lives of others. This effectiveness was tied to (full knowledge), a term that conveyed deep, experiential understanding rather than superficial awareness. In a culture where honor and reciprocity were paramount, Philemon’s love and faith toward Jesus and the saints would have been seen as a public demonstration of his allegiance to Christ, refreshing the (inward affections) of the saints. This language of refreshment evoked the ancient Mediterranean value of hospitality and care, where acts of kindness restored communal bonds and affirmed one’s honor within the group.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
PHM 1:4
- KJV
- I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
- BSB
- I always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers,
- Koinōnos
- I give thanks to my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
PHM 1:5
- KJV
- Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
- BSB
- because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
- Koinōnos
- hearing of your love and the faith you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,
PHM 1:6
- KJV
- That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
- BSB
- I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ.
- Koinōnos
- so that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ.
PHM 1:7
- KJV
- For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
- BSB
- I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
- Koinōnos
- For I had great joy and encouragement over your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.8.3
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.8.3
“Nor is there any one to be found among them who hath more than another; for it is a law among them, that those who come to them must let what they have be common to the whole order”
Cited to ground: In the Greco-Roman world, (fellowship) was not merely social interaction but a binding partnership rooted in shared resources and mutual obligations.
Translator's notes
PHM 1:6
- fellowship:The word translated 'fellowship' here implies a deep, active participation and sharing in something, not just casual association. It suggests a mutual involvement and commonality.
- effective:The term translated 'effective' carries the sense of something being active and producing results, not merely having the potential to do so. It describes something that is powerfully at work.
- [the] acknowledgment:The word translated 'acknowledgment' suggests a full, precise, and experiential knowledge, not just a superficial understanding. It implies a deep recognition or realization.
PHM 1:7
- hearts:The word translated 'hearts' literally refers to the inward parts or entrails, which were considered the seat of emotions and deep affections in ancient thought. It conveys profound feelings of compassion and tenderness.