That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Parallel translations
- WEB that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
- BSB I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ.
- NKJV that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
- NASB and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for the sake of Christ.
- NLT And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul prays that Philemon's sharing of his faith would grow effective through a deeper knowledge of every good thing believers have in Christ. Faith is meant to be active and fruitful.
Overview
The "fellowship of your faith" refers to the partnership and generosity that flow from genuine belief. Paul prays this active faith would become powerful as Philemon comes to recognize all the spiritual blessings believers possess in Christ. Faithful living deepens when we grasp how rich we already are in the gospel, and that recognition should shape how Philemon now treats Onesimus.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Phil 1:9–11And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
- 2 Pet 1:8For 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.
- Col 1:9For 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;
- Matt 5:16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
- 1 Pet 1:5–8Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
- 2 Cor 9:12–14For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
- 1 Pet 2:12Having 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.
- Jas 2:14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
- Titus 3:14And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
- Jas 2:17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
- Phil 4:8Finally, 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.
- Heb 6:10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
- 1 Cor 14:25And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
- 1 Pet 3:16Having 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.
- 1 Pet 3:1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The plea to receive a runaway slave as a beloved brother, charging his debt to Paul's account, is a living picture of how Christ receives us and pays what we owe.
How Philemon 1:6 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.