Understanding Philemon 1:6

NKJV
that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

NASB
that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for the sake of Christ.

NET
I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.

Did you notice that the three well respected translations present differing information?

1) Are we sharing (presenting) faith with others?

2) Are we fellowshipping with others of the same faith?

3) Or is the faith we share with others affecting us?

4) Does presenting our faith become more effective if we acknowledge the benefits of being in Christ?

5) Does our fellowship with other believers become effective with our knowledge of the benefits of being in Christ?

6) Or does our shared faith deepen our understanding of the benefits of being in Christ? ​

Does the context make clear exactly what is being said? Yes!

The idea is the person's love and commitment for Christ and for those "in Christ" will result in the benefits of being in Christ being effectively shared with others.

 

1) Was Philemon presenting his faith to others?
2) Was Philemon fellowshipping with others of the same faith?
3) Was presenting Philemon's faith to others affecting Philemon?
4) Would Philemon's presentation become more effective if he acknowledges the benefits of being "in Christ?"
5) Would Philemon's fellowship with others become more effective with the knowledge of the benefits of being "in Christ?"
6) Did Philemon's presenting his faith to others deepen his understanding of the benefits of being "in Christ?"

The actual idea of the verse is that Philemon's love and commitment for Christ and for those "in Christ" would result in effectively sharing the benefits of being "in Christ" with others.

 

I am sorry but your comment seems pointless.

The actual idea of the verse (Philemon 1:6) is that Philemon's love for and commitment to Christ and also those "in Christ" would result in effectively sharing the benefits of being "in Christ." Thus the idea is that a singular person sharing their faith (i.e. Philemon) will benefit others.

BTW, note the phrase "which is in you" in Christ? Is the pronoun you in that part of the verse singular or plural? Note how the NET goes with "that..belongs...to you (plural) in Christ. Here Philemon is addressed as among many in Christ.

 

Here is part of a well known poem:

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

As active members of our local church, we serve and are served. We derive sustenance, encouragement, edification, moral direction and the like. I worked as an AWANA leader, Sunday School teacher, Treasure, and Elder, but looking back on my service, what sticks in my mind are the times I labored with others to clean up a heavily littered area behind our church building, and when I scowered the women's restroom and helped repaint it. The idea was the if we could present a church, modest as it was, as clean and attractive as we could make it, we might (God willing)t attract and hold on to those searching for the blessings of God.

Philemon 1:6

 

Yes, this version also makes it difficult to discern God's intended message which is that Philemon's love for and commitment to Christ and also those "in Christ" would result in effectively sharing the benefits of being "in Christ." Thus the idea is that a singular person sharing their faith (i.e. Philemon) will benefit others.

 

Lets see, we have "koinōnia" (G2842) translated as:

1) sharing (NKJV)
2) fellowship (NASB)
3) share with (NET)
4) partnership (NIV)
5) participation (Darby)
6) communication (KJV)

Some seem to see no need to define just what is meant by "fellowship."
Partnership springs from Philemon 1:17 where the action is to partner with fellow siblings, such as Paul or the slave. However participation seems the contextual idea, so sharing the faith is the most probable idea.

Philemon's love for and commitment to Christ and also those "in Christ" would result in effectively sharing the benefits of being "in Christ." Thus the idea is that a singular person sharing their faith (i.e. Philemon) will benefit others.

Because of Philemon's faith (his love for and devotion to Christ and Christ's siblings) Philemon will share every blessing and benefit of being "in Christ." And of course this including forgiveness!!!!!

 

Yet another apparently pointless posts.

Here again is what I said:

Some seem to see no need to define just what is meant by "fellowship."
Partnership springs from Philemon 1:17 where the action is to partner with fellow siblings, such as Paul or the slave. However participation seems the contextual idea, so sharing the faith is the most probable idea.​

 

The idea of Philemon 1:6 is that a person's love and commitment for Christ and for those "in Christ" will result in the benefits of being in Christ being effectively shared with others.

What is the characteristic of "the fullness of Christian fellowship with Christ and Christ's other siblings?" Does our full or fuller understanding of the benefits of being "in Christ" translate into our relationship with our imperfect but forgiven siblings? Does Philemon understand why in his heart of hearts, he needs to open his arms and embrace Onesimus?

We see in scripture the concept that because we have been forgiven much, we should not hesitate to forgive our siblings in Christ, just as Christ did.

Can our local assemblies draw together in love such that all those gathered are edified, both those within the body and those that need to receive the reconciliation provided by Christ?