Philemon 1:6

KJV

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G3704} the communication {G2842} of thy {G4675} faith {G4102} may become {G1096} effectual {G1756} by {G1722} the acknowledging {G1922} of every {G3956} good thing {G18} which {G3588} is in {G1722} you {G5213} in {G1519} Christ {G5547} Jesus {G2424}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I pray that the fellowship based on your commitment will produce full understanding of every good thing that is ours in union with the Messiah.

Berean Standard Bible

I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ.

American Standard Version

that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Philemon 1:6 encapsulates Paul's profound prayer for Philemon, articulating a desire for his faith to be actively expressed and powerfully effective. This efficacy, Paul prays, will stem from a deep, experiential acknowledgment of every spiritual blessing and moral excellence that believers possess by virtue of their union with Christ Jesus. The verse thus highlights the dynamic nature of genuine faith, which, rooted in Christ, manifests tangibly in the lives of believers, particularly in their relationships and actions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within the opening thanksgiving and prayer section of Paul's highly personal letter to Philemon, immediately following Paul's commendation of Philemon's love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints (Philemon 1:4-5). It serves as a spiritual prelude to Paul's central appeal regarding Onesimus, the runaway slave whom Paul is sending back to Philemon. By praying for Philemon's faith to be "effectual" and rooted in the "good things" in Christ, Paul subtly prepares Philemon's heart to respond in a manner consistent with his Christian identity and the spiritual resources available to him. The verse lays the theological groundwork for the radical act of forgiveness and reconciliation that Paul is about to request, framing it not as a legal obligation but as a natural outflow of a mature, Christ-centered faith.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The letter to Philemon offers a rare glimpse into the early Christian community's engagement with the pervasive institution of slavery in the Roman Empire. Philemon was a wealthy Christian, likely living in Colossae (Colossians 4:9, 14-15), and Onesimus was his slave who had run away, possibly having wronged Philemon in some way (Philemon 1:18). Under Roman law, a runaway slave could face severe punishment, even death. Paul, writing from imprisonment (Philemon 1:1, 9, 13), does not directly challenge the institution of slavery but transforms the relationship between master and slave through the lens of Christian brotherhood. His appeal to Philemon is rooted in the shared spiritual reality of being "in Christ Jesus," transcending social hierarchies and demanding a new kind of relationship based on love, forgiveness, and equality in Christ.
* **Key Themes:** Philemon 1:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the letter and Paul's broader theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **active faith**, emphasizing that genuine belief is not passive but expresses itself in tangible ways, impacting one's actions and relationships. This aligns with Paul's teaching on faith working through love (Galatians 5:6). Secondly, the verse highlights the **sufficiency of Christ** as the source of all spiritual blessings and moral excellence, reinforcing that all "good things" are found "in Christ Jesus." This concept is central to Paul's Christology, where believers are seen as complete and endowed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Lastly, it subtly introduces the theme of **reconciliation and forgiveness**, preparing Philemon to extend grace to Onesimus, demonstrating how the acknowledgment of God's goodness in Christ empowers believers to live out challenging commands of love and forgiveness (Colossians 3:13).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Communication (Greek, _koinōnía'_):** This term, often translated as "fellowship" or "communion," signifies partnership, participation, or sharing. In this context, it refers not merely to the act of speaking about one's faith but to the active expression or practical demonstration of faith that is shared with and impacts others. It implies the tangible fruit and beneficial influence that Philemon's faith exerts within the Christian community and beyond.
* **Effectual (Greek, _energḗs'_):** Derived from the root for "work" or "action," this word means active, powerful, or operative. It describes a faith that is dynamic, potent, and productive, not dormant or theoretical. Paul prays that Philemon's faith would not just exist but would actively produce results, demonstrating its inherent power to transform and influence.
* **Acknowledging (Greek, _epígnōsis'_):** More than mere intellectual knowledge, _epígnōsis_ denotes a full, precise, and experiential discernment or recognition. It implies a deep, personal appropriation and appreciation of spiritual truth. Here, it refers to Philemon's profound, practical understanding and embrace of the spiritual realities and "good things" that are his in Christ, leading to a faith that is not only believed but deeply felt and acted upon.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That the communication of thy faith may become effectual":** Paul's prayer is that Philemon's faith, understood as his active sharing or expression of belief, would be effective and powerful. This suggests that faith is not a passive internal state but a dynamic force that manifests outwardly and produces tangible results in the world and in relationships. The desired outcome is a faith that is not merely professed but demonstrably operative.
* **"by the acknowledging of every good thing":** The means by which Philemon's faith becomes effectual is through a deep, experiential recognition and appropriation of the spiritual realities and moral excellencies. "Every good thing" encompasses all the virtues, spiritual gifts, divine grace, and character qualities that God has bestowed upon believers. This acknowledgment is not intellectual assent alone but a profound, personal realization and embrace of these spiritual riches.
* **"which is in you in Christ Jesus":** This crucial phrase identifies the source and sphere of all these "good things." They are not inherent human qualities but are found "in you" (the believer) because of your union "in Christ Jesus." This emphasizes that all spiritual blessings and capacity for Christian living originate from and are sustained by one's relationship with Christ. It is through Christ that believers are endowed with everything necessary for a life of active and effective faith.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's letter to Philemon, and specifically this verse, employs several subtle but powerful literary devices. The verse functions as a form of **Apostolic Prayer**, a common Pauline rhetorical strategy where the apostle expresses his desires for the recipients, often revealing profound theological truths and setting the stage for subsequent exhortations. This prayer is also an example of **Persuasion through Affirmation**, where Paul affirms Philemon's existing faith and spiritual resources ("every good thing which is in you") before making a difficult request, thereby appealing to Philemon's identity in Christ. The phrase "in Christ Jesus" is a quintessential Pauline **Theological Formula**, functioning as a shorthand for the believer's profound union with Christ, which is the source of all spiritual reality and power. This formula acts as a **Metonymy** for the entire redemptive work and ongoing presence of Christ in the believer's life, grounding the practical outworking of faith in a deep theological reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Philemon 1:6 articulates a fundamental principle of Christian spirituality: the efficacy of our faith is directly linked to our conscious awareness and appropriation of the spiritual riches we possess in Christ. It underscores that genuine faith is not static but dynamic, manifesting in tangible ways when believers deeply acknowledge the "good things"—the virtues, gifts, and divine grace—that are theirs through union with Jesus. This verse beautifully bridges the gap between theological truth (our union with Christ) and practical Christian living, suggesting that a vibrant, impactful faith flows from a profound understanding of who we are and what we have in Christ. It reminds us that our capacity for love, forgiveness, and reconciliation, as Philemon was called to demonstrate, is not self-generated but divinely empowered.

* [Philippians 1:9-11](/philippians/1-9-11 "Philippians 1:9-11 - Paul's Prayer for Knowledge and Discernment")
* [Colossians 1:9-10](/colossians/1-9-10 "Colossians 1:9-10 - Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom and Fruitfulness")
* [2 Peter 1:3-8](/2_peter/1-3-8 "2 Peter 1:3-8 - Divine Power and Growth in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Philemon 1:6 serves as a powerful reminder that our faith is meant to be active and transformative, not merely a private conviction. It challenges us to move beyond a superficial understanding of our spiritual identity and to deeply acknowledge, appreciate, and live out the "every good thing" that God has deposited within us through our union with Christ Jesus. When we truly grasp the spiritual wealth and divine empowerment available to us "in Christ," our faith becomes a potent force for good, enabling us to embody Christ's love, extend forgiveness, and pursue reconciliation in our relationships and communities. This verse calls us to a life of conscious gratitude for God's work within us, allowing that awareness to fuel our actions and empower us to be effective witnesses of His grace in a world desperately in need of it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways is my faith currently "effectual" or actively expressed in my daily life and relationships?**
* **What "good things" do I acknowledge are "in me in Christ Jesus," and how does this acknowledgment impact my confidence and actions?**
* **How might a deeper, more experiential "acknowledging" of Christ's presence and power within me transform my response to challenging situations or difficult people?**
* **Am I relying on my own strength or truly drawing upon the spiritual resources available to me "in Christ Jesus" to live out my faith?**

### FAQ
**What does "the communication of thy faith" mean in this verse?**

Answer: "The communication of thy faith" (Greek: _koinōnía tēs písteōs sou_) refers to the active expression, sharing, or practical demonstration of one's faith. It's not just about verbalizing belief, but about faith manifesting in tangible ways—through actions, attitudes, and relationships—that benefit others and the Christian community. It speaks to the practical fruit and influence that a person's faith produces, making it visible and impactful.

**What are the "every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus"?**

Answer: The "every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus" refers to the spiritual blessings, virtues, gifts, and moral excellencies that believers possess by virtue of their union with Christ. These are not inherent human merits but divine endowments that come through salvation and the indwelling Holy Spirit. They include qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), as well as spiritual gifts given for the building up of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). These "good things" are the spiritual resources that empower a believer to live a life pleasing to God and to effectively serve others.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Philemon 1:6 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ Jesus Himself. The "good things" that are "in you in Christ Jesus" are not merely abstract qualities but are embodied and perfected in the person of Christ. He is the source and sum of all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). Our faith becomes effectual not by our own striving, but by acknowledging Christ as the one in whom "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Colossians 1:19) and in whom we "have been made complete" (Colossians 2:10). The "communication of faith" that Paul prays for Philemon is ultimately the outflow of Christ's life within the believer, enabling us to love as He loved, forgive as He forgave, and reconcile as He reconciled us to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Thus, the effectiveness of our faith is a testament to the transformative power of Christ's indwelling presence, making us living epistles of His grace (2 Corinthians 3:3) and empowering us to walk in the good works He prepared beforehand for us (Ephesians 2:10).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Peter 1:8

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:9

¶ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment;

Philippians 1:11

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

1 Peter 1:5

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:8

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Colossians 1:9

¶ For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.