Philemon 1:7
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. | I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. | For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedPaul closes his thanksgiving for Philemon (1:4-7) by saying that Philemon's love has brought him great joy and encouragement. The reason is that Philemon has refreshed the hearts of the believers. The next verse begins "Wherefore," so this praise sets up Paul's appeal for Onesimus. Philemon 1:4Philemon 1:5Philemon 1:7Philemon 1:8Philemon overview
SpeakingPaul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, writing with Timothy. Philemon 1:1Philemon overview
ToPhilemon, whom Paul calls "brother" and "fellowlabourer." The letter also greets Apphia, Archippus and the church in his house. Philemon 1:1Philemon 1:2Philemon 1:7Philemon overview
Also involved"The saints," fellow believers whose hearts Philemon had refreshed, likely including the church that met in his house. Philemon 1:2Philemon 1:5Philemon 1:7
Paul says Philemon's love has given him joy and comfort, because Philemon has refreshed the hearts of God's people. This is the love toward "all saints" that Paul had heard about. Philemon 1:5Philemon 1:7Strong's G3874Strong's G0373
Paul writes from prison; the city is not named, and Rome is the traditional view. Philemon is thought to have lived in Colossae, though the letter does not name it. Philemon overview
The eventsPaul wrote while in prison, after hearing reports of Philemon's love and faith, and before sending Onesimus back. Philemon 1:1Philemon 1:5Philemon 1:9Philemon 1:12
WrittenTraditional: about AD 60-62, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome. Scholarly: nearly all accept Paul wrote it, but some place the imprisonment at Ephesus (about AD 54-55) or Caesarea (about AD 57-59). Philemon overview
HereThe verse praises how Philemon has already refreshed others. Later Paul asks him to do the same for him: "refresh my bowels in the Lord" (1:20), by receiving Onesimus, whom Paul calls "mine own bowels" (1:12). Philemon 1:7Philemon 1:12Philemon 1:20
In the whole of ScriptureA theme of the letter is that faith shows itself in love toward all the saints. Other letters show the same joy when believers hear of love and truth in others (2 Corinthians 7:13; 3 John 1:3, 6). Philemon overview2 Corinthians 7:133 John 1:33 John 1:6
For readersLove that refreshes fellow believers brings real joy to others in the church. Paul's praise also invites Philemon to show that same love again in a hard case. Philemon 1:7Philemon 1:9Philemon 1:201 Thessalonians 3:9
- bowels (hearts)σπλάγχνον
The word is glossed "affection/entrails" and is always plural in the New Testament. Paul uses it again for Onesimus, "mine own bowels" (1:12), and for himself, "refresh my bowels" (1:20). This ties Philemon's past kindness to the request Paul is about to make. Strong's G4698Philemon 1:12Philemon 1:20
- refreshedἀναπαύω
It means to give rest or refresh. The lexicon lists it in Matthew 11:28 and in Philemon 20, where Paul asks Philemon to refresh him too. It is also used of Titus, whose "spirit was refreshed" (2 Corinthians 7:13). Strong's G0373Philemon 1:202 Corinthians 7:13
- consolationπαράκλησις
The word means exhortation or encouragement, and also appeal or entreaty. Philemon's love has encouraged Paul even while he is in prison. Strong's G3874Philemon 1:9
- loveἀγάπη
Its gloss is love, goodwill or esteem. It is used of people's love for one another (John 13:35). Paul builds on it in 1:9: "for love's sake I rather beseech thee." Strong's G0026Philemon 1:9
Takeaway
Philemon was known for love that refreshed God's people, and that love gave Paul great joy. Paul praises it so he can ask Philemon to show the same love to Onesimus. Philemon 1:7Philemon 1:10Philemon 1:20
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-23.
The world around the text
About AD 60-62. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Philemon and the church in his house lived. A small town in the Lycus valley of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia, about 190 km (120 miles) east of Ephesus.
Who ruled
- Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68
Emperor over Rome, Asia and Judea. Paul, a Roman citizen, had appealed to Caesar, who in these years was Nero. Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:16Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16
- Governor of the province where Colossae stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms
Asia was governed by a proconsul appointed for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. Acts 19:38Strabo, Geography 17.3.25
- Governor of Judea and Jewish client kingFestus and Agrippa IIc. AD 59-62; c. AD 50-90s
Festus and King Agrippa heard Paul's defense in Caesarea and sent him on to Rome as he had asked. Acts 25:12Acts 25:23-26:32
What was happening, AD 58 to AD 64
- AD 58-63WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia
Roman armies under Corbulo campaigned in Armenia until the two empires made peace in AD 63. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31
- c. AD 59-60The churchPaul's voyage to Rome
Paul sailed for Rome as a prisoner, was shipwrecked on Malta, and reached Rome the following spring. Acts 27:1-28:16
- AD 60DisasterEarthquake in the Lycus valley
An earthquake ruined Laodicea, about 16 km (10 miles) from Colossae; Laodicea rebuilt without Rome's help. A later Christian historian says Hierapolis and Colossae fell in the same disaster. Tacitus, Annals 14.27Orosius, History Against the Pagans 7.7.12Colossians 4:13
- AD 60-61WarBoudica's revolt in Britain
Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Colchester, London and St Albans before the Romans defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39
- c. AD 60-62The churchPaul under guard in Rome
Paul lived two whole years in his own rented house, guarded by a soldier, receiving all who came to him. Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians are traditionally dated to these years. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31Philippians 1:13
- AD 61RulersA slave-owner's murder shakes Rome
When the city prefect Pedanius Secundus was killed by one of his slaves, the Senate upheld the old law that all 400 slaves of his household be executed, despite protests from the crowd. Tacitus, Annals 14.42-45
- AD 62The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed
Between governors, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" stoned in Jerusalem. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19
- AD 64The churchFire in Rome, and Nero blames the Christians
After a great fire burned much of Rome, Nero blamed the Christians and put a "vast multitude" to death. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-44Suetonius, Nero 16.2
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient writers on these years and places (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Strabo, Herodotus, Pliny, Roman law). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Greek words
| English | Greek | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joy | χαρὰν | charan | G5479 | joyχαρά (chara) χαρά, -ᾶς, ἡ (χαίρω), [in LXX for שִׂמְחָה, שָׂשׂוֹן, etc. ;] joy, delight: Luk.1:14 15:7, 10, Jhn.15:11 16:22, 24 17:13, Act.8:8, 2Co.1:24 7:13 8:2, Gal.5:22, Col.1:11, Php.2:2, 1Jn.1:4, 2Jn.12; opposite to κατήφεια, Jas.4:9; to λύπη, Jhn.16:20; χ. τῆς πίστεως, Php.1:25; ἀγαλλιᾶσθαι (χαίρειν, which see), χαρᾷ, Jhn.3:29, 1Pe.1:8; χ. ἔχειν, Phm 7; πληροῦν (-οῦσθαι) χαρᾶς, Act.13:52, Rom.15:13, 2Ti.1:4; ποιεῖν χ. μεγάλην, Act.15:3; ἀπὸ τῆς χ., Mat.13:44, Luk.24:41, Act.12:14; ἐν χ., Rom.15:32; μετὰ χαρᾶς, Mat.13:20 28:8, Mrk.4:16, Luk.8:13 10:17 24:52, Php.1:4 2:29, Heb.10:34 13:17; id. beforeπ … |
| for | γὰρ | gar | G1063 | forγάρ (gar) γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; 1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. 2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. … |
| great | πολλὴν | pollēn | G4183 | muchπολύς (polus) πολύς, πολλή, πολύ, [in LXX chiefly for רַב and cognate forms ;] 1. as adj., much, many, great, of number, space, degree, value, time, etc.: ἀριθμός, Act.11:21; ὄχλος, Mrk.5:24; θερισμός, Mat.9:37; χόρτος, Jhn.6:10; χρόνος, Mat.25:19; γογγυσμός, Jhn.7:12; πόνος, Col.4:13; δόξα, Mat.24:30; σιγή, Act.21:40; pl., προφῆται, Mat.13:17; ὄχλοι, Mat.4:25; δαιμόνια, Mrk.1:34; δυνάμεις, Mat.7:22, … |
| I have | ἔσχον | eschon | G2192 | to have/beἔχω (echō) ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. I. Trans.; 1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; (a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; (b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; (with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; … |
| and | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| encouragement | παράκλησιν | paraklēsin | G3874 | encouragementπαράκλησις (paraklēsis) παρά-κλησις, -εως, ἡ (παρακαλέω), [in LXX : Job.21:2, Psa.94:19, Hos.13:14, Nam.3:7, Isa.57:18 66:11, Jer.16:7 (נָחַם, its parts and derivatives), Jer.38:9 (תַּחֲנוּן), Isa.28:29 30:7, 1Ma.10:24 1Mac 12:9, 2Ma.7:24 2Mac 15:11 * ;] 1. a calling to one's aid, summons (Thus.), hence, appeal, entreaty (Strab., Plut., al., 1Ma.10:24; of. Lft., Notes, 20) : 2Co.8:4. 2. exhortation, encouragement: Act.15:31, Rom.12:8, 1Co.14:3, 2Co.8:17, Php.2:1, 1Th.2:3, 1Ti.4:13, Heb.12:5; λόγος (τῆς) π., Act.13:15, Heb.13:22; υἱὸς π., Act.4:36. … |
| by occasion of | ἐπὶ | epi | G1909 | upon/to/againstἐπί (epi) ἐπί (before a smooth breathing ἐπ᾽, before a rough breathing ἐφ᾽), prep. with genitive, dative, accusative (accusative most frequently in NT), with primary sense of superposition, on, upon. I. C. genitive, 1. of place, answering the question, where? … |
| love | ἀγάπῃ | agapē | G0026 | loveἀγάπη (agapē) ἀγάπη, -ης, ἡ [in LXX for אַהֲבָה, which is also rendered by ἀγάπησις and φιλία ;] love, goodwill, esteem. Outside of bibl. and eccl. books, there is no clear instance (with Deiss., LAE, 18:4, 70:2, cf. the same writer in Constr. Quar., ii, 4; and with MM, VGT, see word, cf. Dr. Moulton in Exp. Times, xxvi, 3, 139). In NT, like ἀγαπάω, -ῶ, 1. Of men's love: (a) to one another, Jhn.13:35; (b) to God, 1Jn.2:5. 2. Of divine love; (a) God's love: to men, Rom.5:8; to Christ, Jhn.17:26; (b) Christ's love to men: Rom.8:35. 3. In pl., love feasts: Ju 12 (DB, iii, 157). … |
| of you, | σου, | sou | G4771 | youσέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; … |
| because | ὅτι | hoti | G3754H | that/since: thatὅτι (hoti) ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; 1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. 2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; … |
| hearts | σπλάγχνα | splagchna | G4698 | affection/entrailsσπλάγχνον (splagchnon) σπλάγχνον, -ου, τό mostly (in NT always) in pl., σπλάγχνα, -ων, τά, [in LXX: Pro.12:10 (רַחַם, elsewhere rendered by οἰκτιρμοί, Psa.25:6 40:12 and by ἔλεος, Isa.47:6), Pro.26:22 (בֶּטֶן), Wis.10:5, Sir.30:7, 2Ma.9:5 (6), al. ;] … |
| saints | ἁγίων | hagiōn | G0040H | holyἅγιος (hagios) ἅγιος, -α, ον (τό ἅγός, religious awe; ἅζω, to venerate), [in LXX chiefly for קֹ֫דֶשׁ ;] primarily, dedicated to the gods, sacred (Hdt.; rare in Att., never in Hom., Hes. and Trag., who use ἁγνός), hence, holy, characteristic of God, separated to God, worthy of veneration. 1. Its highest application is to God himself, in his purity, majesty, and glory: Luk.1:49, Jhn.17:11, Rev.4:8. Hence (a) of things and places which have a claim to reverence as sacred to God, e.g. the Temple: Mat.24:15, Heb.9:1; (b) of persons employed by him, as angels: 1Th.3:13; prophets, Luk.1:70; apostles, Eph.3:5. … |
| have been refreshed | ἀναπέπαυται | anapepautai | G0373 | to give restἀναπαύω (anapauō) ἀνα-παύω, [in LXX for fourteen different words, chiefly נוּחַ, also רָבַץ, שָׁאַן, etc. ;] to give intermission from labour, to give rest, refresh: Mat.11:28, 1Co.16:18, Phm 20; pass., Phm 7, 2Co.7:13. Mid., to take rest, enjoy rest: Mat.26:45, Mrk.6:31 14:41, Luk.12:19, Rev.6:11 14:13; as in Heb. ofIs 11:2 (עַל נוּחַ), τὸ πνεῦμα ἐφ᾽ ὑᾶμς ἀ., 1Pe.4:14. (In π. this word is used as a technical agricultural term; see MM, VGT, see word; and cf. Le 2634 f.; Cremer, 826.)† (AS) |
| through | διὰ | dia | G1223 | through/because ofδιά (dia) διά (before a vowel δ᾽, exc. Rom.8:10, 2Co.5:7, and in (Proper name)s; Tdf., Pr., 94), prep. with genitive, accusative, as in cl.; 1. with genitive, through; (i) of Place, after verbs of motion or action: Mat.2:12 12:43, Mrk.2:23, Luk.4:30, Jhn.4:4, 2Co.11:33, al.; σώζεσθαι (διας-) δ. πυρός, ὕδατος, 1Co.3:15, 1Pe.3:20; βλέπειν δ. ἐσόπτρου, 1Co.13:12; metaphorically, of a state or condition: Rom.14:20, 2Co.2:4 5:7, 10; δ. γράμματος, ἀκροβυστίας (Lft., Notes, 263, 279), Rom.2:27 4:11; δι ̓ὑπομενῆς, Rom.8:25. (ii) Of Time; … |
| you, | σοῦ, | sou | G4771 | youσέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; … |
| brother. | ἀδελφέ.¶ | adelphe | G0080 | brotherἀδελφός (adelphos) ἀδελφός, -οῦ, ὁ (ἀ- copul., δελφύς, womb), in cl., a brother, born of the same parent or parents. [In LXX (Hort, Ja., 102f.), for אָח ;] 1. lit. of a brother (Gen.4:2, al.). 2. Of a neighbour (Lev.19:17). 3. Of a member of the same nation (Exo.2:14, Deu.15:3). In NT in each of these senses (1. Mat.1:2, al.; 2. Mat.7:3; 3. Rom.9:3) and also, … |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.