Philemon 1:5
because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul is hearing about Philemon's love for all the saints and his faith toward the Lord Jesus. This subtle shift in wording, using different Greek prepositions, highlights how Philemon's deep trust in Jesus naturally flowed out into practical care and kindness for fellow believers. It’s a beautiful reminder that genuine faith isn't just internal belief, but also a vibrant expression of love towards others.
Paul is writing to Philemon, a beloved leader in the Colossian church, commending him for his Christian character and love for fellow believers. This praise sets the stage for Paul's main purpose: to appeal for Philemon's forgiveness and acceptance of his runaway slave, Onesimus, whom Paul has recently led to faith in Christ. The verse highlights Philemon's established reputation for both his trust in Jesus and his compassionate care for all Christians, which Paul considers a testament to his genuine faith.
Paul hears about Philemon's amazing qualities, but the way he describes them is a little tricky. What makes this combination so special?
Paul describes Philemon's faith and love as being directed toward both the Lord Jesus and all the saints. It's like a beautiful tapestry woven with two strong threads:
Faith Rooted in Christ
Philemon's faith is primarily directed "toward the Lord Jesus." This isn't just believing in Jesus, but a deep trust and reliance on Him for salvation and guidance. It's the foundation upon which everything else is built.
Love Extending to All
His love, on the other hand, is "toward all the saints." This shows that his faith in Jesus naturally overflows into practical care and affection for other believers. It's the outward expression of an inward reality.
Paul intentionally links these two, showing that genuine faith in Christ always results in love for His people. It’s a perfect blend, where faith fuels love, and love demonstrates faith.
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Paul starts by saying he 'hears' about Philemon's character. What does this tell us about how our actions are noticed, and by whom?
Paul opens Philemon's letter with a commendation based on what he has 'heard.' This is a powerful reminder that our lives, especially our faith and love, don't happen in a vacuum.
The Impact of Our Lives
Understand the original words
agapē · Greek Noun
The self-sacrificial, godly love that seeks the highest good of another, characterized by selfless devotion and action rather than mere emotion.
pistis · Greek Noun
The active, personal trust, reliance, and commitment to God, which is the foundational response of a believer to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
hagios · Greek Noun
The 'holy ones' or 'sanctified ones'; those set apart by God for His service and declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ.
The letter to Philemon, though brief, is set against the backdrop of Roman slavery. Paul’s words about Philemon's love and faith are not just praise, but a strategic appeal to Philemon’s Christian character, urging him to extend that same love and faith to Onesimus, now a fellow believer.
c. AD 50-55
Paul Writes to the Church at Colossae
Paul, likely while imprisoned in Rome, writes epistles to churches including Colossae and Philippi. Philemon, a prominent member of the Colossian church, likely owned Onesimus.
c. AD 55— this verse
Onesimus Flees and Meets Paul
Onesimus, a slave of Philemon, flees from Colossae to Rome. In Rome, he encounters the Apostle Paul, who leads him to faith in Christ.
c. AD 55
Paul Writes the Letter to Philemon
Paul writes a personal letter to Philemon, urging him to forgive and receive back his runaway slave Onesimus, who has become a Christian brother.
c. AD 55
Onesimus Returns to Philemon
Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon, entrusting the slave with this letter, hoping for reconciliation and Philemon's loving response.
This passage shares a very similar structure and sentiment, highlighting Philemon's faith in Christ and love for believers, suggesting a consistent theme in Paul's ministry to these churches.
1 Timothy 1:5Paul explicitly states that the goal of his instruction is love that springs from a pure heart, a pure conscience, and a sincere faith, echoing the connection between faith and love mentioned in Philemon.
Galatians 5:6This verse emphasizes that in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but faith working through love, directly linking the active expression of faith with love for others.
Ephesians 1:15Similar to Philemon, this passage shows Paul giving thanks for the faith and love of believers, demonstrating that these two qualities were foundational aspects he observed and appreciated in mature Christians.
ellicottPhilemon 1:5: "Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;"
(5) Thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints. —This description of a faith directed not only to the Lord Jesus, but to all the saints, has perplexed commentators, and called out various explanations. (1) One is that “faith” here (as in Romans 3:3 ; Galatians 5:22 ) is simply fidelity; but this can hardly be accepted as an explanation of so well-kno…
poolePhilemon 1:5: "Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;"
Hearing of thy love; thy love to God and to the saints, Philemon 1:7 . The apostle putteth love here before faith, contrary to the true order of those spiritual habits, for love must be the fruit of faith, which worketh by love, and to his own order in other places, 1 Timothy 2:7 2 Timothy 1:13 possibly to show us that he spake of that love which is conjoined with faith, and of that fait…
Paul is hearing about Philemon's love for all the saints and his faith toward the Lord Jesus. This subtle shift in wording, using different Greek prepositions, highlights how Philemon's deep trust in Jesus naturally flowed out into practical care and kindness for fellow believers. It’s a beautiful reminder that genuine faith isn't just internal belief, but also a vibrant expression of love towards others.
Paul is writing to Philemon, a beloved leader in the Colossian church, commending him for his Christian character and love for fellow believers. This praise sets the stage for Paul's main purpose: to appeal for Philemon's forgiveness and acceptance of his runaway slave, Onesimus, whom Paul has recently led to faith in Christ. The verse highlights Philemon's established reputation for both his trust in Jesus and his compassionate care for all Christians, which Paul considers a testament to his genuine faith.
Paul is writing to Philemon, a beloved leader in the Colossian church, commending him for his Christian character and love for fellow believers. This praise sets the stage for Paul's main purpose: to appeal for Philemon's forgiveness and acceptance of his runaway slave, Onesimus, whom Paul has recently led to faith in Christ. The verse highlights Philemon's established reputation for both his trust in Jesus and his compassionate care for all Christians, which Paul considers a testament to his genuine faith.
"because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints," — Paul is hearing about Philemon's love for all the saints and his faith toward the Lord Jesus. This subtle shift in wording, using different Greek prepositions, highlights how Philemon's deep trus…
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