Philemon 4–7 (ESV)
Philemon’s Love and Faith
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because
I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
Since I’m on vacation today, I give you the Lutheran Study Bible. “Paul gives thanks for his friend
Philemon’s love and faith. Apparently, he has heard enough to know that this is real and not for show. We should consider what people see in our lives, and how it might affect them. God can make our life of faith into an effective witness to Christ’s
glory. Through the Gospel, He already works effectively in us.”
I pray:
O Lord, I pray that You would use me as Your witness so that I might refresh those around me. Amen.[1]