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"For we have great joy and consolation in your love..."

Text: Philemon 7

 A SINCERE WORD OF APPRECIATION

Moving from prayer, the apostle Paul wrote a special word of appreciation to his good friend Philemon.

“For we have great joy and consolation in your love,
because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed
by you, brother.”
Philemon 7

1. “Brother”

a) Recall how Paul saw Philemon.

i) He was “a beloved (friend)”.

ii) He was an esteemed “fellow labourer”.

b) An endearing relationship.

i) Philemon was a true “brother” to Paul.

ii) This term was not just a polite term

iii) It expressed how Paul felt in his heart!

2. “For we have great joy and consolation”

a) Paul spoke of the joy and consolation that he and others had in their hearts as a present reality.

b) There was indeed “great joy”.

c) The word “consolation” may also be translated “encouragement”.

3. “In your love”

a) Once again the word “love” was employed.

b) The sharing of Philemon’s faith was replete with a deep and genuine love.

4. “Because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you”

a) Paul noted how many saints were encouraged by Philemon.

b) The word “hearts” describes “deep seated feelings” (Greek “splagchna”).

c) This word is often translated as “compassion” that stems from deep within the guts.

d) The feelings of appreciation and gratitude towards Philemon were strong and deeply felt.

e) The saints had often felt “refreshed”.

i) They might have received significant help from Philemon.

ii) They must have felt a deep sense of gratitude for all the help they received from Philemon.

iii) Philemon’s love, faith, sharing had impacted many lives.