Philemon 1:6

Philemon’s Love and Faith

4 ^aI thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

5 ^ahearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective ^aby the acknowledgment of ^bevery good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For we¹ have great joy and consolation in your love, because the⁴ hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

The Plea for Onesimus

8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,

Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

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Philemon 1:6

That the communication of thy faith - The words ̔ , the fellowship or communication of thy faith, may be understood as referring to the work of love towards the saints - the poor Christians, which his faith in Christ enabled him to perform, faith being taken here for its effects; and indeed the word itself is not unfrequently used to denote liberality, almsgiving; and this is very properly remarked by Theophylact here: , ̔ · He terms almsgiving the communication of faith, because it is the fruit of much faith."

May become effectual - Dr. Macknight understands these words thus: "That the many good offices which thou dost to the saints may become effectual in bringing others to the acknowledgment of every good disposition which is in you towards Christ Jesus, or towards his members."

Instead of , energetic or effectual, the Vulgate and some of the fathers, as well as several Latin MSS., have read , evident. This makes a very good sense, and seems to agree best with the scope of the place.

Instead of ̔ , in You, ̔ in Us, is the reading of all the best MSS., as well as of several versions and fathers.

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Hebrews 4:12

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