The Meaning of Philemon 1:4 Explained

Philemon 1:4

KJV: I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

YLT: I give thanks to my God, always making mention of thee in my prayers,

Darby: I thank my God, always making mention of thee at my prayers,

ASV: I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I thank  my  God,  making  mention  of thee  always  in  my  prayers, 

What does Philemon 1:4 Mean?

Context Summary

Philemon 1:1-14 - A Plea For The Returning Slave
Onesimus had known the Apostle well in the old days when Paul visited at the house of his master Philemon, who seems to have been a man of importance. His house was large enough to admit of a church assembling in it, and to accommodate the Apostle and his traveling companions when they came to the city. Apphia, his wife, was also a Christian, and Archippus, their son, was engaged in some kind of Christian work in connection with the infant Christian community which they were nursing. Compare Philemon 1:1-2 with Colossians 4:17. It is beautiful to observe the Apostle's humility in associating these obscure people with himself as fellow-workers.
Onesimus had been a runaway slave, and fleeing to Rome, had been converted by the ministry of Paul-whom I have begotten in my bonds. The converted slave had become very dear and useful to his benefactor, Philemon 1:12-13. The Apostle now sends him back to his former owner with this letter, pleading that he be once more received into the household of Philemon. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for Philemon 1:4

Always [παντοτε]
Goes with ευχαριστω — eucharistō though so far away in the Greek sentence. [source]
Making mention of thee [μνειαν σου ποιουμενος]
See note on 1 Thessalonians 1:2 for this phrase. In (επι — epi). Upon the occasion of. [source]
In [επι]
Upon the occasion of. [source]
Thank - always []
Construe with thank. For similar introductory thanksgivings compare Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:16; Philemon 1:3; Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:3. [source]
Making mention [μνείαν ποιούμενος]
Μνεία primarily means remembrance, so that the phrase expresses the two ideas, mentioning thee when I call thee to mind. [source]
In my prayers [ἐπί]
On the occasions of. [source]
Thy love and faith - toward [εἰς]
The clauses are arranged crosswise, love referring to saints, faith to Christ. Toward. Two different prepositions are thus translated. Practically the difference is not material, but πρός towardwith πίστις faithis unusual. See 1 Thessalonians 1:8. Εἰς is the preposition of contact; to, unto; faith exerted upon. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Philemon 1:4

1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God [ευχαριστω τωι τεωι]
Singular as in Romans 1:8; Philemon 1:3; Philemon 1:4, but plural in 1 Thessalonians 1:2; Colossians 1:3. The grounds of Paul‘s thanksgivings in his Epistles are worthy of study. Even in the church in Corinth he finds something to thank God for, though in II Cor. there is no expression of thanksgiving because of the acute crisis in Corinth nor is there any in Galatians. But Paul is gracious here and allows his general attitude (always, παντοτε — pantote) concerning (περι — peri around) the Corinthians to override the specific causes of irritation. [source]
Ephesians 1:16 Making mention, etc. []
As I make mention. The same expression occurs Romans 1:9; Philemon 1:4; Philemon 1:4. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:3 Without ceasing [ἀδιαλείπτως]
PoIn lxx see 2 Maccabees 3:26; 9:4; 8:12; 15:7; 3 Maccabees 6:33. Should be construed with making mention, not with remembering, as A.V. and Rev. The salutations of Paul reproduce ordinary conventional forms of greeting. Thus the familiar Greek greeting χαίρειν bejoyful, hail, welcome, appears in χάρις graceThis was perceived by Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428 a.d.), who, in his commentary on Ephesians, says that in the preface to that letter Paul does very much as we do when we say “So and so to So and so, greeting” ( ὁ δεῖνα τῷ δεῖνι χαίρειν ). Deissmann gives some interesting parallels from ancient papyri. For instance, a letter dated 172 b.c., from an Egyptian lady to her brother or husband: “Isias to her brother Hephaestion, greeting ( χαίρειν ). If you are well, and other things happen as you would wish, it would be in accordance with my constant prayer to the gods. I myself am well, and the boy; and all at home make constant remembrance of you. Comp. Romans href="/desk/?q=ro+1:9&sr=1">Romans 1:9; Ephesians 1:16; Philemon 1:4. Again: “Ammonios to his sister Tachnumi, abundant greeting ( τὰ πλεῖστα χαίρειν ). Before all things, I pray that you may be in health; and each day I make the act of worship for you.” In these specimens the conventional salutations in correspondence include the general greeting ( χαίρειν ) and the statement that prayer is made for the correspondent's welfare; and the words constant and daily are attached to the act of prayer. It is further to be noticed that many passages of Paul's Epistles give evidence of having been shaped by expressions in letters received by him from the parties he is addressing. In his answer he gives them back their own words, as is common in correspondence. Thus, making mention of you and remembering your work, etc., together with the statement that Timothy reports that you have a good remembrance of us (1 Thessalonians 3:6), all together suggest that Paul had before him, when writing to the Thessalonians, a letter which Timothy had brought from them. Other instances will be noted as they occur. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks [εὐχαριστοῦμεν]
According to Paul's habit, a thanksgiving follows the salutation, commonly with the verb ἐυχαριστεῖν as here; but in 2nd Corinthians and Ephesians, εὐλογητὸς ὁ θεός blessedbe God. The thanksgiving is omitted only in Galatians. The verb εὐχαριστεῖν occurs only in later Greek, and there but rarely. In lxx only in Apocr. See Judith 8:25; 2 Maccabees 1:11; 10:7; 3 Maccabees 7:16. In the N.T. Epistles, PoOriginally to do a good turn; hence, to return a favor. The meaning to give thanks is late. The kindred noun εὐχαριστία givingof thanks, is found often in Paul. As a designation of the Lord's Supper (Eucharist ) it is not found in the N.T. Perhaps the earliest instance of its use in that sense is in Ignatius. See Philad. iv.; Smyrn. iv., viii.; Eph. viii., Comp. Just. Mart. Apol. i., 64,65. In we give thanks, it is not easy to decide whether Paul uses we as plural, or in the sense of I. Romans 3:9seems to be a clear case of the latter usage. In 1 Thessalonians 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:2, ηὐδοκήσαμεν wethought it good, and ἐπέμψαμεν wesent, can, apparently, refer only to Paul; and similarly, in 1 Thessalonians 3:6, πρὸς ἡμᾶς untous, can hardly include Silvanus who came with Timothy (comp. 1 Thessalonians 3:5). But it is significant that, in the Epistles which are written in Paul's name alone (Romans, Galatians, Ephesians), only I is used, unless we except Galatians 1:8, which is doubtful. Paul and Timothy appear jointly as correspondents in Philippians, but the first person predominates throughout the letter. The same is true of 1st Corinthians, where Paul and Sosthenes are associated in the address, but the singular pronoun is used almost throughout. (See 1 Corinthians 4:10-13; 1 Corinthians 9:4, 1 Corinthians 9:5, 1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Corinthians 9:26). In Colossians Paul and Timothy appear in the address. The plural prevails to Colossians 1:23, and alternates with the singular throughout the remainder. The alternations in 2nd Corinthians are very bewildering. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
On the whole, I think that occasional instances of the epistolary plural must be granted. It is not, however, Paul's habitual usage. We is often employed as in ordinary correspondence or argument, where the writer or speaker associates himself with his readers or hearers. Abundant illustrations of this may be seen in Romans href="/desk/?q=ro+1:9&sr=1">Romans 1:9; Ephesians 1:16; Philemon 1:4. Always in connection with prayer. In the sense of remember it appears in lxx, Job 14:13. In Psalm 111:4, to make a memorial. See further, on without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 1:3. [source]

1 Thessalonians 1:2 Always [παντοτε]
Late word, rare in lxx. So with ευχαριστεω — eucharisteō in 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 5:20; Philemon 1:3. Moffatt takes it to mean “whenever Paul was at his prayers.” Of course, he did not make audible prayer always, but he was always in the spirit of prayer, “a constant attitude” (Milligan), “in tune with the Infinite.” For you all (περι παντων υμων — peri pantōn humōn). Paul “encircled (περι — peri around) them all,” including every one of them and the church as a whole. Distance lends enchantment to the memory of slight drawbacks. Paul is fond of this phrase “you all,” particularly in Phil. (Philemon 1:3, Philemon 1:7). Making mention Paul uses this very idiom in Romans 1:9; Ephesians 1:16; Philemon 1:4. Milligan cites a papyrus example of μνειαν ποιουμενοι — mneian poioumenoi in prayer (B. Y. U. 652, 5). Did Paul have a prayer list of the Thessalonian disciples which he read over with Silas and Timothy? In here is επι — epi = “in the time of our prayers.” “Each time that they are engaged in prayers the writers mention the names of the converts” (Frame). [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:2 Making mention [μνειαν ποιουμενοι]
Paul uses this very idiom in Romans 1:9; Ephesians 1:16; Philemon 1:4. Milligan cites a papyrus example of μνειαν ποιουμενοι — mneian poioumenoi in prayer (B. Y. U. 652, 5). Did Paul have a prayer list of the Thessalonian disciples which he read over with Silas and Timothy? In here is επι — epi = “in the time of our prayers.” “Each time that they are engaged in prayers the writers mention the names of the converts” (Frame). [source]
1 Timothy 2:1 Supplications be made [ποιεῖσθαι δεήσεις]
The phrase occurs Luke 5:33; Philemon 1:4. olxx. oClass. Δέησις is petitionary prayer. Προσευχὴ prayeris limited to prayer to God, while δέησις may be addressed to men. The two are associated, 1 Timothy 5:5: the inverse order, Ephesians 6:18; Philemon 4:6. [source]
2 Timothy 1:3 I have remembrance [ἔχω τὴν μνείαν]
The phrase once in Paul, 1 Thessalonians 3:6. Commonly, μνείαν ποιοῦμαι Imake mention, Romans 1:9; Ephesians 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; Philemon 1:4. [source]
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank [χαριν εχω]
“I have gratitude.” As in 1 Timothy 1:12. Robinson cites examples of this phrase from the papyri. It occurs also in Luke 17:9; Acts 2:47. Χαρις — Charis in doxologies Paul uses (1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 8:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Romans 6:17; Romans 7:25). His usual idiom is ευχαριστω — eucharistō (1 Corinthians 1:4; Romans 1:8; Philemon 1:4; Philemon 1:3) or ευχαριστουμεν — eucharistoumen (1 Thessalonians 1:2; Colossians 1:3) or ου παυομαι ευχαριστων — ou pauomai eucharistōn (Ephesians 1:16) or ευχαριστειν οπειλομεν — eucharistein opheilomen (2 Thessalonians 1:3). [source]
Philemon 1:7 For we have [γὰρ ἔχομεν]
Read ἔσχον Ihad. Connect with I thank in Philemon 1:4, giving the reason for thankfulness as it lay in his own heart; as, in Philemon 1:5, he had given the reason which lay in outward circumstances. [source]
2 Peter 1:15 Call to remembrance [μνήμην ποιεῖσθαι]
The phrase occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. In classical Greek, to make mention of. An analogous expression is found, Romans 1:9, μνείαν ποιοῦμαι , I make mention. See, also, Ephesians 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; Philemon 1:4. Some render it thus here, as expressing Peter's desire to make it possible for his readers to report these things to others. Rev., to call these things to remembrance. [source]

What do the individual words in Philemon 1:4 mean?

I thank the God of me always mention of you making upon the prayers
Εὐχαριστῶ τῷ Θεῷ μου πάντοτε μνείαν σου ποιούμενος ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν

Εὐχαριστῶ  I  thank 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: εὐχαριστέω  
Sense: to be grateful, feel thankful.
Θεῷ  God 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
μου  of  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
πάντοτε  always 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πάντοτε  
Sense: at all times, always, ever.
μνείαν  mention 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: μνεία  
Sense: remembrance, memory, mention.
σου  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ποιούμενος  making 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
ἐπὶ  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
προσευχῶν  prayers 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: προσευχή  
Sense: prayer addressed to God.