Philemon 1:7

7 For I have found great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of God's people have been, and are, refreshed through you, 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 hear of your love and of the faith which you have towards the Lord Jesus and which you manifest towards all God's people;

6 praying as I do, that their participation in your faith may result in others fully recognizing all the right affection that is in us toward Christ.

7 For I have found great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of God's people have been, and are, refreshed through you, my brother.

8 Therefore, though I might with Christ's authority speak very freely and order you to do what is fitting,

9 it is for love's sake that--instead of that--although I am none other than Paul the aged, and am now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus,