John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. I thank my God , &c.] Meaning on account, of Philemon, for the grace bestowed upon him, thereafter mentioned; (see Gill on Romans 1:8) making other saints, ( Romans 1:9 Ephesians 1:16 Philippians 1:3,4 Colossians 1:3 1 Thessalonians 1:2), the apostle was a man much in prayer, frequent at the throne of grace; and he prayed not for himself only, but for all the saints, for all the churches and ministers of the Gospel; whom he not only bore upon his mind and heart, but made mention of them, it may be by name; however, he remembered them, and put up petitions, with thanksgivings, for them; and so he did for Philemon; and which he takes notice of with the same view as before: the word, always, is so placed in the original text, as to be put either to his thanks to God, or his prayers, and may be true of both; the Syriac and Arabic versions join it to the former; and the Vulgate Latin and the Ethiopic versions place it to the latter.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - Faith in Christ, and love to him, should unite saints more closely tha any outward relation can unite the people of the world. Paul in his private prayers was particular in remembering his friends. We mus remember Christian friends much and often, as their cases may need bearing them in our thoughts, and upon our hearts, before our God Different sentiments and ways in what is not essential, must not make difference of affection, as to the truth. He inquired concerning his friends, as to the truth, growth, and fruitfulness of their graces their faith in Christ, and love to him, and to all the saints. The goo which Philemon did, was matter of joy and comfort to him and others who therefore desired that he would continue and abound in good fruits more and more, to God's honour.
Greek Textus Receptus
ευχαριστω 2168 5719 V-PAI-1S τω 3588 T-DSM θεω 2316 N-DSM μου 3450 P-1GS παντοτε 3842 ADV μνειαν 3417 N-ASF σου 4675 P-2GS ποιουμενος 4160 5734 V-PMP-NSM επι 1909 PREP των 3588 T-GPF προσευχων 4335 N-GPF μου 3450 P-1GS
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. Thank - always. Construe with thank. For similar introductory thanksgivings compare Rom. i. 8; 1 Cor. i. 4; Eph. i. 16; Philip. i. 3; Col. i. 3; 1 Thess. i. 2; 2 Thess. i. 3. Making mention (mneian poioumenov). Mneia primarily means remembrance, so that the phrase expresses the two ideas, mentioning thee when I call thee to mind.In my prayers (epi). On the occasions of.
Thy love and faith - toward (prov) the Lord Jesus and toward (eiv) all saints. The clauses are arranged crosswise, 209 love referring to saints, faith to Christ. Toward. Two different prepositions are thus translated. Practically the difference is not material, but prov toward, with pistiv faith is unusual. See 1 Thess. i. 8. Eijv is the preposition of contact; to, unto; faith exerted upon.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:4 {Always} (pantote). Goes with eucaristw though so far away in the Greek sentence. {Making mention of thee} (mneian sou poioumenos). See #1Th 1:2 for this phrase. {In} (epi). Upon the occasion of.
