“Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;”
Because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints — the report of Philemon's love (agapē) and faith (pistis) directed toward both Christ and the community establishes his Christian credentials. The love and faith are not theoretical but active (echeis) toward concrete objects — the Lord and the saints. This character sketch prepares Philemon morally for the contradiction that follows: will he embody his professed love toward his runaway slave?
Church Fathers on Philemon 1:5
He does not immediately at the commencement ask the favor, but having first admired the man, and having praised him for his good actions, and having shown no small proof of his love, that he always made mention of him in his prayers, and having said that many are refreshed by him, and that he is obedient and complying in all things; then he puts it last of all, by this particularly putting him to the blush. For if others obtain the things which they ask, much more Paul. If…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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