Thinking deeper about Philemon 6

The fellowship or sharing of faith is not uni-directional. In this context, Philemon is admonished and exhorted by Paul concerning his relationship with Onesimus, so in one sense we understand that the fellowship or sharing of the faith includes the relationship believers have with one another.

“Real faith and love will inevitably result in a concern for fellowship. There is no place in the Body of Christ for an individualism that does not care about others. That concern for fellowship was also motivation for Philemon to forgive Onesimus. Failing to do so would lead to a rift in the fellowship since Onesimus was now also a believer. By forgiving Onesimus, Philemon would maintain the harmony, peace, and unity of the Colossian church.

Koinōnia (fellowship) is difficult to render precisely in English. It is usually translated “fellowship,” but it means much more than merely enjoying each other’s company. It refers to a mutual sharing of all life, and could be translated “belonging.” Believers belong to each other in a mutual partnership, produced by their faith in Christ. By forgiving him, Philemon would acknowledge that he belonged to Onesimus as a brother in Christ..”[i]

The other aspect of the fellowship or sharing of faith has everything to do with evangelism. Albert Barnes correctly states, “The phrase translated ‘communication of thy faith,’ means the making of thy faith common to others; that is, enabling others to partake of the fruits of it, to wit, by good deeds.” What was once the mystery and secret of God is now made common to all men through distribution of witness. The one who has received the good new of Christ Jesus will give it to others. The true Christian does not hoard the gospel, thinking that fellowship with believers in prayer is enough to reach the world. The Christian must remember how it is he came to hear the gospel; namely, the truth that someone brought it to him! John Calvin is quoted by Barnes explaining, “That his faith, expressing itself by good fruits, might be shown to be true and not vain. For he calls that the communication of his faith when it does not remain inoperative within, but bears itself forth to benefit men by its proper effects. For although faith has its proper seat in the heart, yet it communicates itself to men by good works.” [ii]

Matthew Henry wrote: “The apostle joins prayer with his praises, that the fruits of Philemon’s faith and love might be more and more conspicuous, so as that the communication of them might constrain others to the acknowledgment of all the good things that were in him and in his house towards Christ Jesus; that their light might so shine before men that they, seeing their good works, might be stirred up to imitate them, and to glorify their Father who is in heaven. Good works must be done, not of vain-glory to be seen, yet such as may be seen to God’s glory and the good of men.”[iii]

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[i]MacArthur, John. Philemon. Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, c1992.
[ii] Barnes, Albert. Notes on the Bible.
[iii]Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume, Phm 1. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1996, c1991.