Philemon 1:7

7 For your love has given me much joy and encouragement. Brother, you have refreshed the hearts of God's people.

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 for I am hearing about your love and commitment to the Lord Yeshua and to all God's people.

6 I pray that the fellowship based on your commitment will produce full understanding of every good thing that is ours in union with the Messiah.

7 For your love has given me much joy and encouragement. Brother, you have refreshed the hearts of God's people.

8 Therefore, I would not hesitate, in union with the Messiah, to direct you to do the thing you ought to do.

9 But since I Sha'ul, am the kind of person I am, an old man and now for the Messiah Yeshua's sake a prisoner besides, I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love.