Daily Devotions
Philemon
"The sharing of your faith..."
Text: Philemon 6
PART OF PAUL’S PRAYER
It is important to remember that the following is part and parcel of Paul’s prayer.
“Hearing of your love and faith which you have toward
the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing
of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment
of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
Philemon 5-6
1. The Love… the Faith… the Sharing
a) The three items above are closely connected.
b) They dovetail into each other.
2. “The sharing of your faith”
a) The word “sharing” may also be translated “the fellowship” (Greek “koinonia”).
b) What is this “sharing” or “fellowship”?
i) It is much more than having good and wholesome conversations.
ii) It often expresses itself in practical caring for each other.
iii) It expresses itself in loving good works.
c) The sharing of faith becomes potentially more significant when it is expressed by works.
3. “May become effective”
a) The word “effective” has a number of nuances worth noting.
i) It is active and energetic.
ii) It is productive.
b) “May become”
i) This was added because the response of faith depends on other factors too.
ii) Faith, love, sharing… are potentially effective.
iii) Yet it is also possible that not everybody would respond favourably.
4. “By the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus”
a) Philemon’s testimony of his faith in Christ Jesus was truly outstanding.
b) His faith, love, and sharing stemmed from the good that Christ created in him.
c) Paul’s prayer was that these may truly be acknowledged as Philemon shared his faith actively.
Those who were discerning would be able to recognize the worth of Philemon’s faithful life.