Daily Devotions
Philemon
"Hearing of your love and faith..."
Text: Philemon 5
KEEPING IN TOUCH
The Apostle Paul was never too busy to keep in touch with his true and good friends. He certainly kept in touch with the churches he founded. He kept in touch with his spiritual sons, Timothy and Titus. He also kept in close touch with his good friend Philemon.
“Hearing of your love and faith which you have
toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints.”
Philemon 5
1. “Hearing of”
a) The construction of the sentence suggests that Paul was current in his keeping in touch with Philemon.
b) Paul was actively learning about the activities of Philemon.
(The use of the present participle with a present tense verb is to be noted.)
2. “Your love and faith”
a) Both nouns (“love” and “faith”) were very specifically described.
b) They were not just general descriptions.
c) They are of course closely related.
d) The love… The faith (This is how it would read if we translated literally).
3. “Which you have toward the Lord Jesus”
a) This “love” and “faith” are focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, first and foremost.
b) The Scriptures are clear and specific as to what both items are.
c) “Love”
i) Stems from God loving us first.
ii) In turn the believer learns to love the Lord Jesus.
iii) He abides in this love.
iv) This love becomes characteristic of the faithful and mature Christian.
d) “Faith”
i) It is a gift from the grace of God.
ii) It is carefully cultivated.
iii) If it matures well it becomes “a great faith”.
iv) Faith and love are often associated closely.
4. “And toward all the saints”
If faith and love are genuine and strong, they will naturally express themselves to the saints of God.
This was what Philemon obviously possessed and he was warmly commended by the Apostle Paul!