Philemon 1 · Verse 6

Philemon 1:6

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Philemon 1:6, King James Version

Philemon 1:6 in other translations

BSB	I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ.
WEB	that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
ASV	that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.
YLT	that the fellowship of thy faith may become working in the full knowledge of every good thing that is in you toward Christ Jesus;
DARBY	in such sort that thy participation in the faith should become operative in the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in us towards Christ Jesus.
BBE	That the faith which you have in common with them may be working with power, in the knowledge of every good thing in you, for Christ.
Webster	That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

What does Philemon 1:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

6. That--The aim of my thanksgiving and prayers for thee is, in order that the, &c. the communication of thy faith--the imparting of it and its fruits (namely, acts of love and beneficence: as He 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," 2Co 9:13). effectual by--Greek, "in"; the element in which his liberality had place, that is, may be proved by acts in, &c. 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 Phm 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.

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

Barnes' Notes

Verse 6. That the communication of thy faith. That is, this was a subject of prayer on the part of the apostle, that the "communication of his faith" might receive from all the proper acknowledgment of the good which he did in the Christian cause. The phrase translated "communication of thy faith," means the making of thy faith common to others; that is, enabling others to partake of the fruits of it, to wit, by good deeds. On the meaning of the word here rendered "communication," (κοινωνια, koinonia,) Eph 3:9. Comp. Php 2:1; 3:10. Calvin has well expressed the sense of this passage. "It is to be observed that the apostle here does not proceed in the commendation of Philemon, but rather expresses what he desires for him from the Lord. These words are connected with those in which he says that he remembered him in his prayers. What, therefore, did he desire for Philemon? That his faith expressing itself by good fruits, might be shown to be true and not vain. For he calls that the communication of his faith when it does not remain inoperative within, but bears itself forth to benefit men by its proper effects. For although faith has its proper seat in the heart, yet it communicates itself to men by good works." The meaning is, that he desired that Philemon would so make common the proper fruits of faith by his good deeds towards others, that all might acknowledge it to be genuine and efficacious.

May become effectual. Gr., "May be energetic" (ενεργης;) may become operative, active, effective.

By the acknowledging. That is, so as to secure from others the proper recognition of the existence of faith in your heart. In other words, so that others may see that you are truly pious, and understand to what extent you have faith.

Of every good thing which is in you. Of every good principle, and of every benevolent trait, which is in your character. That is, the proper outward expression of his faith in Christ, by doing good to others, would be a development of the benevolence which existed in his heart.

In Christ Jesus. Or "towards (εις) Christ Jesus." The goodness in his heart had respect to the Lord Jesus as its proper object, but would be made manifest by his kindness to men. The truth which is taught in this passage, therefore, is, that when faith exists in the heart, it is very desirable that it should impart its proper fruits towards others in such a way that all may see that it is operative, and may recognize its power; or in other words, it is desirable that when true religion exists it should be fairly developed, that its possessor may be acknowledged to be under its influence. We should wish that he may have all the credit and honour which the goodness of his heart is entitled to. Paul supposed that a case had now occurred in which an opportunity was furnished to Philemon to show the world how much he was governed by the faith of the gospel.

(a) "the communication" Php 1:9-11 (b) "effectual" Jas 2:14,17 (c) "every good" Php 4:8

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 6 That the communication of thy faith - The words ἡ κοινωνια της πιστεως σου, 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 κοινωνια itself is not unfrequently used to denote liberality, almsgiving; and this is very properly remarked by Theophylact here: Κοινωνιαν πιστεως ελεημοσυνην καλει, ὡς απο πιστεως πολλης γενομενην· 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 ενεργης, energetic or effectual, the Vulgate and some of the fathers, as well as several Latin MSS., have read εναργης, evident. This makes a very good sense, and seems to agree best with the scope of the place. Instead of εν ὑμιν, in You, εν ἡμιν in Us, is the reading of all the best MSS., as well as of several versions and fathers.

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 1:6 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.

ὅπωςhopōsso thatG3704

ἡhētheG3588

κοινωνίαkoinōniafellowshipG2842

τῆςtēsof theG3588

πίστεώςpisteōsfaithG4102

σουsouof youG4771

ἐνεργὴςenergēseffectiveG1756

γένηταιgenētaimay becomeG1096

ἐνeninG1722

ἐπιγνώσειepignōsei[the] acknowledgmentG1922

παντὸςpantosof everyG3956

ἀγαθοῦagathougood [thing]G18

τοῦtouthat [is]G3588

ἐνeninG1722

ἡμῖνhēminusG3165

εἰςeisinG1519

ΧριστόνChristonChristG5547

Ἰησοῦν.IēsounJesus.G2424

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

Cross references for Philemon 1:6

2 Peter 1:8
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:9-11
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Colossians 1:9
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
1 Peter 1:5-8
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:14
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Titus 3:14
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
2 Corinthians 9:12-14
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
1 Peter 2:12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter 3:16
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

the communication.
2Co 9:12-14; Php 1:9-11; Tit 3:14; Heb 6:10; Jas 2:14,17
the acknowledging.
Mt 5:16; 1Co 14:25; Php 4:8; 1Pe 1:5-8; 2:12; 3:1,16
in you.
2Pe 1:8

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

Context

Philemon 1:5
Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
Philemon 1:6
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Philemon 1:7
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Read all of Philemon 1

Philemon 1:6 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Para que la comunicación de tu fe sea eficaz, en el conocimiento de todo el bien que está en vosotros, por Cristo Jesús.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	en sorte que ta communion dans la foi opère en reconnaissant tout le bien qui est en nous à l’égard du christ Jésus.
German Elberfelder 1871	daß die Gemeinschaft deines Glaubens wirksam werde in der Anerkennung alles Guten, welches in uns ist gegen Christum Jesum.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	ut communicatio fidei tuæ evidens fiat in agnitione omnis operis boni, quod est in vobis in Christo Jesu.