Philemon 1:5 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; Hearing - the ground of thanksgiving. It is a delicate mark of authenticity, that he says "hearing" as to churches and persons whom he had not seen or then visited. Colosse, Philemon's residence, he had never yet seen. Yet Philemon 1:19 implies that Philemon was his convert. Philemon, doubtless, was converted at Ephesus, or some other place where he met Paul.

Love and faith. The theological order is first faith, then love, the fruit of faith. But he purposely puts Philemon's love first, as it is to an act of love he is exhorting him.

Toward ... toward - different Greek: toward х pros (G4314) in 'Aleph (') G; but A C Delta, eis (G1519)]

... unto х eis (G1519)]. Toward implies simply direction; unto, to the advantage of.

Philemon 1:5

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