Philemon 1 · Verse 4

Philemon 1:4

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
Philemon 1:4, King James Version

Philemon 1:4 in other translations

BSBI always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers,
WEBI thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
ASVI thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,
YLTI give thanks to my God, always making mention of thee in my prayers,
DARBYI thank my God, always making mention of thee at my prayers,
BBEI give praise to God at all times and make prayer for you,
WebsterI thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

What does Philemon 1:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. always--joined by Alford with, "I thank my God."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. I thank my God. That is, for what I hear of you.

Making mention of thee always in my prayers. See a similar declaration respecting the church at Ephesus. Eph 1:16. It would appear from this that Paul, in his private devotions, was in the habit of mentioning churches and individuals by name. It would seem, also, that though he was a prisoner, yet he somehow found opportunity for secret devotion. And it would appear further, that though encompassed with many cares and sorrows, and about to be put on trial for his life, he did not forget to remember a Christian brother though far distant from him, and to bear him on his heart before the throne of grace. To remember with affectionate concern these churches and individuals, as he did, Paul must have been a man of much prayer.

(f) "thank" Eph 1:16

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 I thank my God - For all the good he has bestowed upon you, making mention of thee always in my prayers, that thou mayest hold fast all that thou hast got, and get all that thou dost farther need.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philemon 1:1-7

Faith in Christ, and love to him, should unite saints more closely than any outward relation can unite the people of the world. Paul in his private prayers was particular in remembering his friends. We must remember Christian friends much and often, as their cases may need, bearing them in our thoughts, and upon our hearts, before our God. Different sentiments and ways in what is not essential, must not make…

Read the full comment on Philemon 1:1-7 →

Philemon 1:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΕὐχαριστῶEucharistōI thankG2168
τῷtōtheG3588
θεῷtheōGodG2316
μουmouof mineG3165
πάντοτεpantotealwaysG3842
μνείανmneianmentionG3417
σουsouof youG4771
ποιούμενοςpoioumenosmakingG4160
ἐπὶepiuponG1909
τῶνtōntheG3588
προσευχῶνproseuchōnprayersG4335
μου,mouof mine,G3165

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philemon 1:4

  • Romans 1:8

    First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

  • Ephesians 1:16

    Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

  • Colossians 1:3

    We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

  • Philippians 1:3

    I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:3

    We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:2

    We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

  • 2 Timothy 1:3

    I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ro 1:8; Eph 1:16; Php 1:3; Col 1:3; 1Th 1:2; 2Th 1:3; 2Ti 1:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philemon 1:3

    Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Philemon 1:4

    I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

  • Philemon 1:5

    Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

Read all of Philemon 1

Philemon 1:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Doy gracias á mi Dios, haciendo siempre memoria de ti en mis oraciones.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je rends grâces à mon Dieu, faisant toujours mention de toi dans mes prières,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich danke meinem Gott, indem ich allezeit deiner erwähne in meinen Gebeten,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Gratias ago Deo meo, semper memoriam tui faciens in orationibus meis,