Philemon 1:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philemon 1:1-7

I. In the Phlm. 1:1, 2 of the preface we have the persons from and to whom it is written, with some annexed note or title, implying somewhat of argument to the purpose of the letter. 1. The persons writing: Paul, the principal, who calls himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ, that is, for Jesus Christ. To be a prisoner simply is no comfort nor honour; but such as Paul was, for the faith and preaching of the gospel, this was true glory, and proper to move Phlm. upon the request made to him by such... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philemon 1:1-7

1:1-7 This is a letter from Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and from Timothy, the brother, to Philemon our well-beloved and our fellow-worker; and to Apphia, the sister, and to Archippus, our fellow-soldier, and to the Church in your house. Grace be to you and peace from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God when I make mention of you in my prayers, for I hear of your love and your faith, which you have to the Lord Jesus, and to all God's dedicated... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:7

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love ,.... In the expressions and acts of it to the poor saints; for which reason the apostle gives thanks for it before; and it is a pleasure and comfort to an ingenuous mind, though it is not in his power to do good to the poor saints himself, to see that others have both abilities, and a heart to relieve them: because the bowels of the saints are, refreshed by thee, brother ; meaning, not only that their bellies were filled with food, for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:7

For we have great joy - This verse does not read harmoniously. The Greek authorizes the following arrangement: For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, O brother, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee. The apostle speaks here of the works of charity in which Philemon abounded towards poor Christians. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:7

Verse 7 7.We have much grace and consolation. Although this reading is found in the majority of Greek copies, yet I think that it ought to be translated joy; for, since there is little difference between χάριν and χαράν, it would be easy to mistake a single letter. Besides, Paul elsewhere employs the word χάριν to mean “joy;” at least, if we believe Chrysostom on this matter. What has “grace” to do with “consolation?” For thy love. It is plain enough what he means, that he has great joy and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:4-7

Recognition of the Christian character and services of Philemon. This is after the apostle's usual manner. I. THE THANKSGIVING . "I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers." 1. Though it is not unlawful to praise men for their graces or virtues , God is first to be thanked as the Author of these dispositions . "We rejoice [or, 'boast'] in God through our Lord Jesus Christ" ( Romans 5:11 ). It is the privilege of the believer to speak of God as "my... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:7

We have great joy and consolation. The preferable reading is, as in A, C, F, G, N, and Revised Version, I had much joy and comfort (see Philemon 1:5 ). " Plenius inculcat et edocet, quare dixerit, gratias ago ," etc. (Jerome). The bowels of the saints ; hearts (Revised Version). Either This is another peculiarly Pauline expression (see 2 Corinthians 6:12 ; 2 Corinthians 7:15 -these two are very similarly used in 2 Corinthians 7:7 , 2 Corinthians 7:12 , 20—and three other... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:7

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love - In thy love toward Christians. The word here rendered “joy” (χάριν charin), properly means grace. A large number of manuscripts, however, instead of this word, have χαρὰν charan, Charan, joy. See Wetstein. This reading has been adopted by Griesbach, Tittman, and Hahn.Because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother - For your kindness to them. The word “bowels” here probably means minds, hearts, for it is used in the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philemon 1:7

Philemon 1:7. For we have great joy and consolation Timothy and I are greatly rejoiced and comforted; in, or by, thy love To God and his people; because the bowels of the saints That is, the saints themselves, to whom it seems Philemon’s house was open; are refreshed by thee, brother So the apostle terms him; not merely because he was a believer in Christ, but because he was one whom he tenderly loved. “The refreshment of which the apostle speaks was produced by the relief which... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:1-21

CONTENTS OF THE LETTERPaul greets Philemon, his wife Apphia, and the other believers who meet in their home. He also greets Archippus, who was possibly their son and who was serving God in that region (1-3; cf. Colossians 4:17). Paul rejoices because of what he has heard (probably from Epaphras and Onesimus; cf. Colossians 1:7-8; Colossians 4:9,Colossians 4:12) of Philemon’s strong faith in God and sincere love for God’s people. This faith and love have been a source of strength and... read more

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