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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
4-7 Thanksgiving and Prayer. Before Paul makes his appeal, he graciously and tactfully expresses his thanksgiving for Philemon (vv. 4-5) and describes how he prays for him (vv. 6-7).
6 Sharing (Gk. koinōnia) as used here would seem to carry a wide range of meaning, including the ideas of generosity, partnership, and fellowship that result from the common faith and common life that believers have in Christ. This usage of koinōnia is similar to the way Paul commends the Philippians for their tangible generosity ("partnership," see note on v. 17) in supporting the cause of the gospel (Phil. 1:5). Paul is laying the groundwork for his appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. Philemon's sharing will result in his own deeper knowledge of every good thing in Christ, that is, a deeper awareness and experience of the blessings that Christ has for him.
7 the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. Philemon was well known for his love for his fellow believers, which brought Paul great joy. He had been actively involved in ministering to other Christians in a way that had profoundly encouraged them. On "hearts" (Gk. splagchna), see note on v. 12.
