Philemon 1:5 because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.

◄ Philemon 1:5 ►

New International Version
because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.

New Living Translation
because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.

English Standard Version
because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

Berean Standard Bible
because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.

Berean Literal Bible
hearing of your love and the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

King James Bible
Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

New King James Version
hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

New American Standard Bible
because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;

NASB 1995
because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;

NASB 1977
because I hear of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

Legacy Standard Bible
because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;

Amplified Bible
because I hear of your love and of your faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints (God’s people).

Christian Standard Bible
because I hear of your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
because I hear of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints.

American Standard Version
hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

Contemporary English Version
I hear about your faith in our Lord Jesus and about your love for all God's people.

English Revised Version
hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I hear about your faithfulness to the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people.

Good News Translation
For I hear of your love for all of God's people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus.

International Standard Version
because I keep hearing about your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus.

Majority Standard Bible
because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.

NET Bible
because I hear of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.

New Heart English Bible
hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

Webster's Bible Translation
Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and towards all saints;

Weymouth New Testament
because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have towards the Lord Jesus and which you manifest towards all God's people;

World English Bible
hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
hearing of your love and faith that you have to the Lord Jesus and toward all the holy ones,

Berean Literal Bible
hearing of your love and the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

Young's Literal Translation
hearing of thy love and faith that thou hast unto the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

Smith's Literal Translation
Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast to the Lord Jesus, and to all the holy;

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus, and towards all the saints:

Catholic Public Domain Version
(for I am hearing of your charity and faith, which you have in the Lord Jesus and with all the saints)

New American Bible
as I hear of the love and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus and for all the holy ones,

New Revised Standard Version
because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Since I have heard of your faith and love, which you have toward our LORD Jesus, and toward all saints;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Behold, from the time that I heard of your faith and love which you have toward our Lord Yeshua and toward all The Holy Ones,

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
hearing of your love and your faith, which you have in the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints,

Godbey New Testament
hearing about your divine love, and the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and all the saints;

Haweis New Testament
hearing of thy love and faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and unto all the saints;

Mace New Testament
and thank my God for the account I have of your faith in the Lord Jesus and the love you bear to all the saints;

Weymouth New Testament
because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have towards the Lord Jesus and which you manifest towards all God's people;

Worrell New Testament
hearing of your love and the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

Worsley New Testament
(hearing of the faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and of thy love to all the saints,)

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Philemon's Faith and Love
4I always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers, 5because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. 6I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Colossians 1:4
because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints—

Ephesians 1:15
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.

1 Thessalonians 1:3
and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.

Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.

2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.

James 2:14-17
What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ...

Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world.

1 Peter 1:22
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.

Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:20-21
If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. / And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.

Treasury of Scripture

Hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

Hearing.

Galatians 5:6
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Ephesians 1:15
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Colossians 1:4
Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

toward the Lord.

Philemon 1:7
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Psalm 16:3
But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

Acts 9:39-41
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them…

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Faith God's Hear Hearing Jesus Love Manifest Saints Towards

Philemon 1

1. Paul rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon,
8. whom he desires to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again.

Berean Study Bible

because I hear
The phrase "because I hear" indicates the ongoing nature of the reports reaching Paul. The Greek word for "hear" is "ἀκούω" (akouo), which implies not just a one-time event but a continuous reception of information. This suggests that Philemon's faith and love were not hidden but were evident and noteworthy to others, reaching even Paul in his imprisonment. It highlights the importance of a Christian testimony that speaks volumes beyond one's immediate environment.

about your faith
The term "faith" comes from the Greek "πίστις" (pistis), which encompasses trust, belief, and fidelity. In the context of Philemon, it refers to his steadfast belief in the Lord Jesus. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but a living, active trust that influences behavior and relationships. Historically, faith in the early church was a radical commitment, often leading to persecution, yet it was the foundation of the Christian life.

in the Lord Jesus
This phrase centers Philemon's faith specifically in "the Lord Jesus," emphasizing the object of true Christian faith. The title "Lord" (Greek "Κύριος," Kyrios) signifies authority and divinity, acknowledging Jesus as sovereign. "Jesus" (Greek "Ἰησοῦς," Iesous) is the personal name of the Savior, meaning "Yahweh is salvation." This highlights the personal and relational aspect of faith, rooted in the historical person of Jesus Christ, who is both Lord and Savior.

and your love
The word "love" is translated from the Greek "ἀγάπη" (agape), which is a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others. This is the highest form of love, often associated with divine love. Philemon's love is not just an emotion but an active expression of his faith, manifesting in tangible actions towards others. In the early church, such love was a hallmark of Christian community, setting believers apart in a world often characterized by division and self-interest.

for all the saints
The term "saints" (Greek "ἅγιοι," hagioi) refers to all believers, those set apart for God. The use of "all" underscores the inclusivity of Philemon's love, extending beyond personal preferences or social boundaries. In the historical context, the early church was a diverse body, comprising Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, slave and free. Philemon's love for "all the saints" reflects the unity and equality found in Christ, breaking down barriers and fostering a community marked by mutual care and support.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) Thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints.--This description of a faith directed not only to the Lord Jesus, but to all the saints, has perplexed commentators, and called out various explanations. (1) One is that "faith" here (as in Romans 3:3; Galatians 5:22) is simply fidelity; but this can hardly be accepted as an explanation of so well-known and almost technical a phrase as "faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ." (2) Another, noting the distinction in the original between the two prepositions here--the former (pros) signifying direction towards, and the latter (eis) actual contact with, its object--explains the phrase as signifying "the faith which has as its object the Lord Jesus Christ, but which shows itself practically towards all saints." But this, even if the word "hast" will bear this gloss, seems too artificial for such a Letter as this. (3) The comparison with the contemporaneous Letter to the Colossians--where we read, "your faith in the Lord Jesus, and your love toward all the saints" (Colossians 1:4)--seems to clear up the matter. We have here an equivalent phrase, in which, however (by what the grammarians called chiasmus), the extremes and means correspond to each other. The idea which runs through the Letter is Philemon's "love to the saints." In writing of that love St. Paul cannot refrain from (4) referring it to its true origin--the faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence the broken phrase. The sense seems therefore to be that which in some MSS. has been brought out by a natural correction, "thy faith towards the Lord Jesus, and thy love to all the saints."

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 5. - Hearing of thy love, and of the faith ... saints. He would hear of these instances of Philemon's faith and love naturally through Epaphras (see on Ver. 2). Refer "faith" to "the Lord Jesus" and "love" to "all the saints" (a chiasmus, or cross-reference). Note that the phrase is πρὸς (i.e. erga, towards) τὸν Κύριον, but εἰς (i.e. upon) τοὺς ἁγίους; perhaps because Christ cannot now be reached by bodily efforts, but only aspired towards by the soul; while the poor can actually be reached and ministered unto. "Ye have the poor always with you, but me ye have not always" (Matthew 26:11). All Christians are called "saints" in the Scriptures, as Ephesians 1:1, and invariably. What a reminder to them of their "holy calling" (2 Timothy 1:9)! Meyer notes, however, that it is not uncommon with St. Paul to vary the preposition (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

because I hear about
ἀκούων (akouōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

your
ἔχεις (echeis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

faith
πίστιν (pistin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

in
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κύριον (Kyrion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

love
ἀγάπην (agapēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 26: From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

all
πάντας (pantas)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

saints.
ἁγίους (hagious)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

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NT Letters: Philemon 1:5 Hearing of your love and (Phm Phl)