“For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”
For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you — Paul's emotional response (splanchnai = bowels/heart metaphorically) to Philemon's love demonstrates the relational foundation of the letter. The saints' hearts (splanchnoi tōn hagiōn) being refreshed (anapaō) through Philemon's ministry establishes his reputation for Christian kindness. This precedent becomes Paul's basis for the forthcoming appeal: act toward Onesimus as you have toward others.
Church Fathers on Philemon 1:7
Nothing so shames us into giving, as to bring forward the kindnesses bestowed on others, and particularly when a man is more entitled to respect than they. And he has not said, “If you do it to others, much more to me”; but he has insinuated the same thing, though he has contrived to do it in another and a more gracious manner. “I had joy,” that is, you have given me confidence from the things which you have done to others. “And consolation,” that is, we are not only…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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