Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
That—The aim of my thanksgiving and prayers for thee is, in order that the, etc.
the communication of thy faith—the imparting of it and its fruits (namely, acts of love and beneficence: as Hebrews 13:16, "to communicate," that is, to impart a share) to others; or, the liberality to others flowing from thy faith (so the Greek is translated, "liberal distribution," II Corinthians 9:13).
effectual by—Greek, "in"; the element in which his liberality had place, that is, may be proved by acts in, etc.
acknowledging—Greek, "the thorough knowledge," that is, the experimental or practical recognition.
of every good thing which is in you—The oldest manuscripts read, "which is in US," that is, the practical recognition of every grace which is in us Christians, in so far as we realize the Christian character. In short, that thy faith may by acts be proved to be "a faith which worketh by love."
in Christ Jesus—rather as Greek, "unto Christ Jesus," that is, to the glory of Christ Jesus. Two of the oldest manuscripts omit "Jesus." This verse answers to Philemon 1:5, "thy love and faith toward all saints"; Paul never ceases to mention him in his prayers, in order that his faith may still further show its power in his relation to others, by exhibiting every grace which is in Christians to the glory of Christ. Thus he paves the way for the request in behalf of Onesimus.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Philemon 1:6:
Philemon 1:7
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