Philemon 1:7

7 I have great joy and encouragement because of your love, since the hearts of God's people are refreshed by your actions, my brother.

Philemon 1:7 Meaning and Commentary

Philemon 1:7

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love
In the expressions and acts of it to the poor saints; for which reason the apostle gives thanks for it before; and it is a pleasure and comfort to an ingenuous mind, though it is not in his power to do good to the poor saints himself, to see that others have both abilities, and a heart to relieve them:

because the bowels of the saints are, refreshed by thee, brother;
meaning, not only that their bellies were filled with food, for the phrase is used in ( Philemon 1:20 ) where that cannot be intended; but their hearts were filled with gladness, the load upon their spirits, the pressures upon their minds were removed, and they had an inward pleasure in their souls, and rest, refreshment, and comfort, through the liberal communications of Philemon to them; who did what he did cheerfully, that so it did their souls good, as well as their bodies; and in doing which, he acted the part of a brother in Christ.

Philemon 1:7 In-Context

5 because I've heard of your love and faithfulness, which you have both for the Lord Jesus and for all God's people.

6 I pray that your partnership in the faith might become effective by an understanding of all that is good among us in Christ.

7 I have great joy and encouragement because of your love, since the hearts of God's people are refreshed by your actions, my brother.

8 Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to command you to do the right thing,

9 I would rather appeal to you through love. I, Paul—an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus—