6

(Literal Greek translation:) that the sharing of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing in us in Christ: There are various ways to interpret this verse and, as a result, different English versions have translated it differently.

The interpretation of the first part of the verse depends on several interrelated questions:

How is the word koinōnia “fellowship, sharing” to be understood?

Who are the participants in each event? That is, with whom is Philemon sharing in believing? Is it with other Christians (later including Onesimus) or is it with Paul (and Timothy)?

What is the connection between “may become active” and “in/by knowledge”? Does the phrase “in the knowledge of every good thing” describe the means by which that fellowship or sharing becomes effectual, or is the knowledge of every good thing the result of that fellowship/sharing?

Here are three alternative interpretations that seem the most likely, out of several possibilities that commentators have suggested:

(1) That sharing (Greek: koinōnia) refers to sharing, or bonding, with others who believe the same truths. English Bible versions often translate koinōnia as “fellowship” when it has this sense. In this interpretation the meaning is that Paul was praying that Philemon would have active fellowship with other believers as he came to understand every good thing that God had done for (or in) God’s people. In this interpretation the words “in the knowledge of every good thing” refer to the means by which this fellowship or bonding would happen.

This fits well with the theme of the letter. Paul was about to appeal to Philemon to be merciful toward his runaway slave, Onesimus, because now they both believed in Christ. Although Paul had not yet mentioned his request to Philemon to forgive Onesimus, he was looking forward to the fellowship that Philemon would have with Onesimus. This would happen because they both now recognized God’s goodness to them.

(2) That Sharing means that Philemon shared his faith with others, that is, he told other people about the gospel message he believed. (New International Version and Contemporary English Version follow this interpretation.) So the phrase “in the knowledge of every good thing” could refer to the result of sharing his faith. There is more than one way to interpret what this result might be. New International Version interprets this to mean that Paul prayed that, as Philemon told others about what he believed, Philemon would gain “a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” Contemporary English Version interprets this to mean that Paul prays that as Philemon tells others about what he believes, those people “will come to know all the blessing Christ has given believers.”

(3) That Sharing means “fellowship” as in the first interpretation, but here in verse 6 it is the fellowship Paul and Timothy had with Philemon that is in focus. The words “in the knowledge of every good thing” refer to the results of Philemon’s fellowship with Paul and Timothy. Thus Good News Translation interprets the meaning of Paul’s prayer to be that, as Philemon had fellowship with Paul and Timothy, Philemon would understand more deeply all the blessings they had as they lived in union with Christ.

There are also other possible interpretations of this verse. However, the first interpretation seems to fit best with the purpose of the letter. Paul was preparing Philemon for something he was about to ask Philemon to do on behalf of their fellow believer, Onesimus. Paul was probably thinking about how Philemon could help Onesimus. He was preparing Philemon by asking him to think about the good things God had given all Christians and by urging him to act for Christ’s honor. Remembering these facts would cause Philemon to have closer fellowship with all Christians, including his slave, Onesimus, who had recently become a Christian.

There is yet another problem that you need to consider. Different versions translate the Greek phrase eis Christon at the end of the verse (among other ways) as “in Christ,” “for Christ,” or “to Christ.” There are two interpretations of how the word eis functions in this verse:

(1) The Greek word eis relates to the Greek verb that the literal English version above translates “become effective.” This would mean that the purpose for becoming effective is to honor Christ. If you agree with this interpretation, you might restate the phrase in Christ this way: “May this happen for the sake of Christ,” or “This will bring honor to Christ,” or “This will cause people to praise Christ.” Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible and the Amplified Bible follow this interpretation (1).

(2) The Greek word eis relates to the phrase “every good thing.” Thus the whole phrase would imply “all the good things that are ours because we are in union with Christ,” or “because we believe in Christ.” The Berean Standard Bible, New International Version and Good News Translation follow this interpretation (2).

There is also a textual problem in this verse. In place of en hēmin ‘in us,’ some ancient Greek manuscripts have en humin ‘in you.’ However the weight of the manuscript evidence seems to support en hēmin. Also the UBS Handbook Greek New Testament 4th edition rates this reading as a B (very probable) degree of certainty. Of the major English versions, only the King James Version and the New American Standard Bible follow the reading en humin.

The Display (first Meaning Line) for verse 6 shows a translation of verse 6 that follows interpretation (1) above:

I pray that the fellowship which you have with those who believe as you do may increase/deepen, ⌊through your ⌋ knowing all the good things ⌊that God has ⌋ given us (incl.). ⌊May this happen ⌋ for ⌊the glory of ⌋ Christ.

The notes on “fellowship”, sense A2 in Key Biblical Terms support this interpretation

Or, if you choose interpretation (2) above for verse 6, you could translate the whole verse as follows:

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will come to understand fully all the good things God has given us(incl.), and that this will result in people glorifying Christ.

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