Lord’s Library editors offer this Philemon 1:4-6 meaning, with commentary and supporting Scriptures, for your edification.
To gain a Philemon 1:4-6 meaning, see the verses: “I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
Though part of Paul’s letter to Philemon, this passage carries key theological significance that crystalizes the reality of salvation by grace through faith in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
Paul’s gratitude for Philemon reflects that faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian life. Ephesians 2:8-9 reinforces this by declaring: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Philemon’s faith was not in his own efforts, but in the Lord Jesus Christ, and Paul commended him for demonstrating this faith in his love toward the saints.
This love, which flows from faith, is evidence of the new life given to believers by God’s grace, as also stated in Galatians 5:6: “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”
Philemon 1:4-6 Meaning
The meaning of Philemon 1:406 shows that true saving faith is not just an intellectual assent but a heart trust in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that bears fruit in a believer’s life. See James 2:17: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” This does not mean that religious works can contribute to salvation, but rather, true faith—rooted in the Blood Atonement of Christ—naturally produces good works as an outward testimony of an inward transformation.
Paul desires that Philemon’s faith will be actively displayed and become effective through the recognition of “every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” This points directly to the believer’s identity in Christ. See 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The source of every good thing in the believer is Christ Himself. Salvation is not about self-improvement or moral effort; it is entirely about what Jesus has done – the Good News. See Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
The believer’s righteousness is not their own but is imputed to them through faith in Christ, as stated in Philippians 3:9: “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
Paul’s letter to Philemon is ultimately a testimony to the true power of the Gospel and rooted solely in God’s grace. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that Philemon has love for the saints, that his faith is made effectual, and that every good thing in him is made manifest. See also Colossians 2:10: “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”
As one can see, salvation is complete in Christ, and through Him, believers are equipped to walk in love and faith, just as Philemon did. And the fruit of faith is evident in love toward others. This is echoed in 1 John 4:19: “We love him, because he first loved us.”
Paul’s prayer for Philemon is a call for all who are saved by grace to acknowledge and walk in the fullness of their identity in Christ, recognizing that every good thing in them is because of Him alone.
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