Philemon 1 5

Philemon 1:5 kjv

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

Philemon 1:5 nkjv

hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

Philemon 1:5 niv

because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.

Philemon 1:5 esv

because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

Philemon 1:5 nlt

because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people.

Philemon 1 verses

Philemon 1 5 Meaning

Philemon 1:5 serves as Paul's commendation and cause for thanksgiving concerning Philemon. Paul expresses deep joy upon hearing reliable reports of Philemon's active and genuine Christian character. This character is marked by two fundamental virtues: a robust faith directed towards the Lord Jesus, and a selfless, practical love demonstrated towards all fellow believers. This verse highlights the inseparable connection between belief in Christ and the resulting love shown to the Christian community, which together form the essence of a vibrant Christian walk.

Philemon 1 5 Context

Philemon 1:5 is an integral part of Paul’s customary thanksgiving in his opening salutation, immediately following his affectionate greeting to Philemon and his household (Phm 1:1-3) and his statement of persistent remembrance of Philemon in his prayers (Phm 1:4). This verse sets the stage for Paul's central appeal regarding Onesimus, the runaway slave who had become a brother in Christ. By acknowledging Philemon's well-known reputation for faith in Christ and love for fellow believers, Paul affirms Philemon's deep spiritual character, thus gently preparing him to act in a Christ-like manner concerning the sensitive issue of Onesimus. It subtly reminds Philemon of the very virtues that should compel him towards forgiveness and restoration. The broader historical context is the first-century Roman Empire, where slavery was prevalent, and a master's right over a slave was absolute. Within this culture, Paul's request for Philemon to receive Onesimus not as a slave but as a beloved brother (Phm 1:16) was radical and profoundly counter-cultural, challenging conventional social hierarchies based on the transforming power of Christian love and brotherhood.

Philemon 1 5 Word analysis

• because (ὅτι - hoti): This conjunctive particle explains the reason for Paul's previous statement of always thanking God for Philemon (Phm 1:4). It directly links Philemon's known virtues to Paul's consistent prayer and thanksgiving for him.
• I hear (ἀκούω - akouō): Signifies that Paul received definite, credible reports or news about Philemon's actions and character. It indicates Philemon’s Christian walk was observable and well-attested among believers, not merely a private or personal experience. This 'hearing' is a common Pauline introduction to commendation.
• your (σου - sou): Directly addresses Philemon, personalizing the praise and affirmation. It makes the commendation specific and intimate, deepening the bond between Paul and Philemon.
• love (ἀγάπη - agapē): This is the distinctively Christian love, often translated as unconditional, divine love. It is not merely emotional affection but an active, benevolent regard and sacrificial action directed towards others, stemming from God Himself (1 Jn 4:8). In this context, it manifests as concrete deeds of compassion and generosity towards fellow believers.
• and (καὶ - kai): This simple conjunction connects "love" and "faith," indicating that these two virtues are intrinsically linked and observed together in Philemon's life. They are not isolated characteristics but operate in tandem.
• of the faith (τὴν πίστιν - tēn pistin): Refers to saving faith, a confident trust, conviction, and belief in God and His promises as revealed in Christ. It implies not just mental assent but a complete reliance and allegiance to Jesus Christ. This faith is active and formative, producing Christian behavior.
• that you have (ἣν ἔχεις - hēn echeis): This phrase emphasizes that Philemon actively possesses and continually demonstrates these qualities. It highlights their living presence and ongoing practice in his life.
• toward (πρός - pros): This preposition indicates direction, relationship, or movement towards an object or person. It clarifies the recipients and focus of Philemon's love and faith.
• the Lord Jesus (τὸν Κύριον Ἰησοῦν - ton Kyrion Iēsoun): This full title affirms Jesus' divine authority and sovereignty (Lord) and His redemptive human identity (Jesus). "Lord Jesus" is the primary object and ultimate recipient of Philemon's saving faith. His faith is Christ-centered, recognizing Jesus as sovereign and Savior.
• and (καὶ - kai): Again, links the two directions or objects of Philemon's spiritual life, confirming a dual, complementary orientation.
• toward all the saints (πρὸς πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους - pros pantas tous hagious): "Saints" (ἁγίους - hagious) refers to all believers in Christ, those set apart and made holy by God. This indicates that Philemon's love and the practical outworking of his faith were not selective but extended universally and indiscriminately to the entire Christian community. His love embraced all fellow Christians, embodying the unity of the body of Christ.

• "your love and of the faith": This coupling is common in Pauline epistles, highlighting faith and love as cornerstone Christian virtues (Gal 5:6, Col 1:4). They are not separate but interconnected: genuine faith in Christ produces and expresses itself through love for others, while love for the brethren is evidence of true faith (1 Jn 3:23). Paul often links these virtues as indispensable markers of spiritual maturity and authentic discipleship.
• "toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints": This phrase masterfully illustrates the two essential dimensions of a vibrant Christian life: the vertical relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, and the horizontal relationship with fellow believers through selfless love. True faith always points heavenward to Christ, and this divine connection inevitably spills out into practical, active love for His people on earth. It describes a balanced spiritual walk, deeply rooted in Christ and outwardly manifested in communal care.

Philemon 1 5 Bonus section

The specific order "love and of the faith" is notable. While Paul often lists "faith, hope, and love," here he seems to be emphasizing what he "hears about"—Philemon's demonstrable acts of love towards the saints, which is then rooted in his profound faith toward the Lord Jesus. This structure suggests that Philemon's outward actions of love were concrete evidence, providing the basis for Paul's certainty regarding Philemon's inward spiritual state of faith. It underscores the active nature of Philemon's Christianity. The report about Philemon's qualities served not just to praise him, but also as a quiet challenge to him, anticipating his gracious response to Onesimus, knowing his reputation for embodying such virtues. This commendation makes Paul's subsequent plea a moral imperative for Philemon, based on his own established Christian character.

Philemon 1 5 Commentary

Philemon 1:5 pinpoints the very core of Christian existence, as exemplified in Philemon: a robust faith in Jesus Christ coupled with tangible love for the entire community of believers. This commendation from Paul is deeply significant as it lays the foundation for his impending plea for Onesimus. Paul effectively reminds Philemon of his own virtues, creating an expectation for how a person of such faith and love should respond. It shows that true Christian faith is never solely intellectual or privatized, but actively expresses itself through relational love. This verse affirms that Christian devotion involves both submission to Christ's Lordship and a compassionate outflow toward His body, thus reflecting God’s character in human interactions. It suggests that a flourishing Christian life is evidenced by the consistent display of these interconnected virtues.

Practical usage example:

• In recognizing a person's spiritual growth, similar to Paul, we can acknowledge how their faith in Christ translates into acts of kindness and generosity towards fellow believers.
• The verse encourages self-reflection: Do my faith and love exhibit both vertical devotion to Christ and horizontal compassion towards all saints?
• It serves as a model for inter-church relationships, where shared faith in Christ should foster genuine, universal love among all denominations and expressions of belief.