Section 4–7

Paul thanks God for Philemon and prays for him

After Paul greeted Philemon and his friends, Paul thanked God for him and prayed for him. This is the way he started most of his letters. For other examples, see Philippians 1:3–11 and Colossians 1:3–14. Before he asked Philemon to do something, Paul wanted to tell Philemon how much he loved and respected him. Paul thanked God because Philemon had faith in the Lord Jesus, and because he loved God’s people. This love gave Paul great joy. And Paul prayed that Philemon’s fellowship with other believers would increase and deepen because he (Philemon) knows the good things that God has given believers.

In this Section Paul wrote directly to Philemon. He used only “you (sing)” in verses 4–21, not “you (plur)” as he did in the beginning and end of the letter.

Read verses 4–7 carefully in the Berean Standard Bible and the Good News Translation, and then read the following notes before translating.

4

Verse 4 could have one of two meanings:

(1) Every time I pray for you I thank God (for you) (New International Version, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version, Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004)). This means that Paul did not thank God for Philemon every time he prayed.

(2) Every time I pray I thank God for you. (Good News Translation, King James Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Jerusalem Bible). This means that Paul did thank God for Philemon every time he prayed.

The first meaning is probably what Paul intended.

my God: This means “The God I know and belong to and worship.” Paul related to God in a very personal way. But a literal translation of the phrase “my God” may imply a wrong meaning in some languages. Check carefully on this point.

remembering: Paul meant that when he prayed he “mentioned” Philemon to God, he “prayed for” him. Be careful not to use a word that would imply he had forgotten Philemon and then remembered him.

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