Philemon 6

Pretty much all commentators agree that Philemon 6 is a difficult to translate verse. Writing to Philemon, Paul says, “I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers…That the communication [koinonia] of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus (Phm. 1:4-6, KJV). William Barclay is certainly right when he says that verse 6, ” is very difficult to translate and about which much has been written.”¹Barclay’s Daily Study Bible. Philemon Chapter 1: A Man To Whom It Was Easy To Appeal ( Philemon 1:1-7 ). https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb/philemon-1.html Below, I provide just some of what has been written concerning this verse.

The Revised Standard Version translates: “I pray that the sharing of your faith may promote the knowledge of all the good that is ours in Christ.”  The RSV’s understanding is that Paul is praying that Philemon will be a “soul winner.” That understanding is common. But, somehow, this interpretation just does not seem to fit with what Paul is saying.

Still, there are many teachers that believe that this is what Paul is saying. The interpretation of Daniel B. Wallace reflects this common understanding of v6. He says that, “the opening prayer in Philemon is virtually unique among Paul’s letters: it is a prayer for Philemon to share his faith (6). Paul is setting Philemon up for the body of his letter: when Philemon shares his faith so as to have “a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ” (6 [NIV]), he will begin to see the incongruity of slavery and Christianity.”²Daniel B. Wallace https://bible.org/seriespage/18-philemon-introduction-argument-and-outline But there are other views of what Paul is saying here in verse 6.

William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible, for example, says that, “The phrase translated the sharing of your faith, is very difficult. The Greek is koinonia (2842) pisteos (4102). As far as we can see, there are three possible meanings. (a) Koinonia (2842) can mean a sharing in; it can, for instance, mean partnership in a business. So this may mean your share in the Christian faith; and it might be a prayer that the faith which Philemon and Paul share in may lead Philemon deeper and deeper into Christian truth. (b) Koinonia (2842) can mean fellowship; and this may be a prayer that Christian fellowship may lead Philemon ever more deeply into the truth. (c) Koinonia (2842) can mean the act of sharing; in that case the verse will mean: ‘It is my prayer that your way of generously sharing all that you have will lead you more and more deeply into the knowledge of the good things which lead to Christ.'”³Barclay’s Daily Study Bible. Philemon Chapter 1: A Man To Whom It Was Easy To Appeal ( Philemon 1:1-7 ). https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb/philemon-1.html There is no reference to “sharing your faith” in any of these three possible interpretations. I like (a). The apostle, has the faith which Philemon has in common with Paul, and all believers, in mind. This agrees with Douglas J. Moo. In his commentary on Philemon, he says that the word koinonia in v. 6, has the sense of “the fellowship that is the product of our mutual faith in Christ.”⁴The Letters To The Colossians and To Philemon: Pillar New Testament Commentary [PNTC] by Douglas J. Moo. Page 378.

Barclay believes the last interpretation to be the correct understanding of the verse. He says, “Obviously Christian generosity was a characteristic of Philemon; he had love to God’s people and in his home they were rested and refreshed. And now Paul is going to ask the generous man to be more generous yet.”

“There is a great thought here, if this interpretation is correct. It means that we learn about Christ by giving to others. It means that by emptying ourselves we are filled with Christ. It means that to be open-handed and generous-hearted is the surest way to learn more and more of the wealth of Christ. The man who knows most of Christ is not the intellectual scholar, not even the saint who spends his days in prayer, but the man who moves in loving generosity amongst his fellow-men.”   Barclay

M. R. Vincent appears to agree with Barclay’s favorite.  He first says that the, “That” in v6 connects with “making mention” (v4). So “…making mention…that…” He says that “fellowship” [Κοινωνία] is often used in the active sense of impartation, as…contribution, almsgiving. He gives these example: kοινωνία is a “contribution” of money in Rom. 15:26. A liberal “distribution” in 2Cor. 9:13. And “do good and…share what you have (ESV)” in Heb. 13:16. So he says that the sense of  the phrase “The communication of thy faith” is “the active sympathy and charity growing out of your faith.” So Vincent sees the sharing of shelf and resources with others as what is at the heart of what Paul is saying.

I am not sure if the NIV has changed its interpretation or what, but I came across this version which I think conveys the right idea: “I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.” ⁵https://www.biblestudytools.com/philemon/passage/?q=philemon+1:6-7 Here, it is the “partnership with us in the faith” that is at the center of what Paul is saying. I think that this is getting closer to the correct understanding.

According to Pastor William E. Wenstrom, koinonia, is an abstract term derived from koinonos and koinoneo, and denotes “participation, fellowship,” especially with a close bond. It expresses a two-side relation. As with koinoneo, emphasis may be on either the giving or the receiving. It thus means: (1) “Participation” (2) “Impartation” (3) “Fellowship.” He says that, Koinonia can have the following meanings: (1) “Association, communion, fellowship, close relationship” (2) “Generosity, fellow-feeling, altruism” (3) “Sign of fellowship, proof of brotherly unity, gift, contribution” (4) “Participation, sharing in something.” He says that in Philemon 6, the noun koinonia , refers to both the horizontal aspect of fellowship, which is fellowship with other believers and the vertical aspect of fellowship, which is fellowship with the Trinity…Philemon’s love for the Lord and faithfulness to the Lord was a manifestation of the vertical aspect of fellowship. His love for the body of Christ and faithfulness to the body of Christ manifested the horizontal aspect of fellowship…Koinonia, says Wenstrom, speaks of Christian fellowship and denotes the following concepts: (1) Relationship with Christ: Philemon shared a common relationship with all Christians. (2) Partnership: Philemon worked with other Christians like Paul and Archippus for a common purpose to obtain common objectives for the glory of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. (3) Companionship: Philemon communicated with his fellow Christians and shared his time, talent, treasure and truth with other believers. (4) Stewardship: Philemon was a good steward with the time, talent, treasure and truth God had given him as a trust.⁶William E. Wenstrom. Philemon 1-3. https://www.wenstrom.org/downloads/written/exposition/philemon/philemon_1-3.pdf

Here is Pastor Wenstrom’s version of Philemon 6:

I make it a habit to pray that the fellowship⁷The fellowship that is the product of our mutual faith in Christ. produced by your faith would cause itself to be manifested as effective because of an experiential knowledge, which produces every type of divine good of intrinsic quality and character, which is in all of us on behalf of Christ.⁸William E. Wenstrom pg 286

He explains that Philemon’s fellowship was “effective” in the sense that it would cause him to produce divine good. Then he acknowledges that divine good resides in all of them as well as in himself and this is for the benefit of Christ Himself. He reiterates that fellowship refers to both the horizontal aspect of fellowship, which is fellowship with other believers and the vertical aspect of fellowship, which is fellowship with the Trinity. The phrase “experiential knowledge” refers to personally encountering the Trinity. Encountering God results in the gaining of more of the character of Christ and is the reason fellowship is effective, i.e. produces divine good.

“In the New Testament, believers can have fellowship and share together because they first of all have a relationship with Christ and share Him in common (1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:3). First and foremost, fellowship is believers sharing together in a common life with other believers through relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This common life is eternal life, the life of God.” ⁹William E. Wenstrom

Dr. Thomas Constable seems to have an interpretation similar to Pastor Wenstrom’s. Here is what Dr. Constable says: “We should probably understand Paul’s prayer request for Philemon to be that his sharing with others¹⁰Dr. Constable does not say just what Philemon shared. Perhaps, he had “fellowship” in mind. , which was an outgrowth of his faith, would become even more energetic (cf. Php. 1:5; 2Cor. 8:4). Paul would give him an opportunity shortly. This interpretation includes another possible interpretation, namely, that Christ might be increasingly visible through his life. As Philemon’s appreciation of God’s grace toward him grew, he should have wanted to demonstrate more grace toward others in his interpersonal relationships… Paul had in mind Onesimus particularly.”

Tim Mackie of BibleProject.com, translate Philemon v6: “I pray that the partnership that springs from you faith may effectively lead you to recognize all the good things at work in us, leading into the Messiah.”¹¹Tim Mackie. BibleProject™ Philemon Bible Book Overview Poster 58-Philemon-FNL-1.jpg https://bibleproject.com/view-resource/261/

Good, according to Pastor Wenstrom,  is produced by obedience to the Spirit who speaks to the believer through the Word of God. The “good things” that Paul wishes Philemon to recognize is that Philemon, Apphia and Archippus and the church which met in Philemon’s home should welcome Onesimus into their fellowship despite the fact he was a runaway slave of Philemon.¹²William E. Wenstrom pg. 266 Faith produces koinonia [fellowship]. Philemon’s fellowship with God and other Christians was produced by his faith in the Spirit’s teaching in the Word of God. Fellowship is effective because it produces divine good.

Given the commentary interpretation of Philemon 6 above, I am inclined to go with the understanding that what Paul is saying, has nothing to do with Philemon being a witness by sharing “the faith” with the lost. Pastor Wenstrom says that pistis [faith] in v6, “does not refer to saving faith or justifying faith in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation but rather the Christian’s faith in the Word of God after their conversion since in context Paul is addressing Philemon’s fellowship with God and other believers.”¹³William E. Wenstrom pg. 275 So while most commentators understand v6 to be referring to Philemon sharing his faith with the lost, I am going to agree with Pastor Wenstrom’s compelling argument to the contrary, and say that what Paul has in mind is that Philemon shares a faith common to all believers including Onesimus. And his faith in God as well as that of all those involved has produced fellowship with each other and with God. Experiential knowledge [epignōsis] of God is the reason why fellowship with God and the body of Christ is effective, i.e. produces divine good.¹⁴William E. Wenstrom pg. 283

Dr. Wendel Sun, is in agreement with Pastor Wenstrom I believe. He says, “While other interpretations are possible,21 understanding κοινωνία in participatory terms makes good sense of the context. First, we have already noted the participatory flavor of faith in Paul. Second, this understanding highlights the relational themes running through the letter: Philemon participates in the faith with other believers.22 This relational foundation is crucial for Paul’s appeal. Finally, it must be noted that Paul could have formed this sentence without the word κοινωνία. In other words, he could have simply prayed for Philemon’s faith to become effective. His choice to use the term adds the relational meaning: participation in faith in community. Participation in faith, of course, only takes place in union with Christ. Therefore, Paul’s prayer is that Philemon’s participation in faith (with others) might become effective.”¹⁵Union with Christ in Paul’s Letter to Philemon, Wendel Sun, Ph.D. https://www.academia.edu/41003976/Union_with_Christ_in_Pauls_Letter_to_Philemon

Sun, says that “every good thing” most likely refers to all blessings “in us” as those united to Christ: the blessings of redemption and the good works produced in us through Christ (Phil. 1:6; Eph. 2:10). I believe that Paul may have “the blessings of redemption” in mind but I suspect that he is truly focused on “the good works produced in us through Christ” since this is what he is wanted Philemon to do – “a good work” in accepting Onesimus.

I really like what Regular Baptist Press (RBP) has to say on this verse. They say this: “Verse 6 holds the honor of being the most difficult statement in the book. The word ‘communication’ is one key to understanding. This is the same word translated ‘fellowship’ and often means a sharing of common doctrines and spiritual realities, but sometimes it means a sharing of material possessions or giving money to others. Philemon’s faith in Christ produced his ‘fellowship of the faith.’ Paul’s thought is that Philemon’s faith in God had led him to accept the needy and to be generous toward them.¹⁶This very similar to what Barclay has to say above. It would be a tragedy if those who received his fellowship perceived it as mere human kindness. Therefore, Paul prayed that people might come to acknowledge that the character qualities, ‘every good thing,’ which moved Philemon to generosity were from Christ. Then they would give glory unto Him. (‘In Christ Jesus’ is literally, ‘unto Christ Jesus,’ meaning unto His honor or glory.) Paul prayed that Philemon’s practical love would bring glory to Christ.”¹⁷From Forgiven to Faithfulness: 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. Regular Baptist Press. Teacher’s Guide. ISBN 978-1-594-02920-2. https://www.rbpstore.org/Products/0001/from-forgiven-to-faithfulness-2-timothy-titus-philemonbradult-leaders-guide.aspx?bCategory=CUR!AD2

Just as a note: In Philemon 6, the noun pistis means “faith” and not “faithfulness” as it did in Philemon 5 since the word refers to that which produces fellowship with God and other Christians, namely faith in the Word of God.¹⁸William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Philemon 6-7. Pistis in Philemon 6. https://www.wenstrom.org/downloads/written/exposition/philemon/philemon_6-7.pdf  page 10.

-Allen