For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Parallel translations
- WEB For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
- BSB I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
- NKJV For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
- NASB For I have had great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
- NLT Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
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
Philemon's love has brought Paul great joy and comfort because he has refreshed the hearts of God's people. His past kindness becomes the basis for Paul's request.
Overview
Paul rejoices that Philemon's love has "refreshed" the saints, a warm image of relief and renewal. Calling him "brother" underscores their shared family bond in Christ. This commendation is not flattery but honest praise that gently sets up verse 20, where Paul will ask Philemon to refresh his heart as well by receiving Onesimus.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- 2 Cor 7:13Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
- 1 Th 3:9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
- 2 Cor 7:4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
- 1 Th 2:19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
- Phlm 1:20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
- 3 Jn 1:3–6For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
- 2 Tim 1:16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
- 2 Jn 1:4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
- 1 Th 2:13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
- 1 Th 1:3Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
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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 1:7 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.