7a

Some translations use a connecting word at the beginning of this verse to show that verse 7 is another reason why Paul thanked God. See also verse 4. For example:

For (Revised Standard Version)

your love: Philemon was showing that he loved God’s people. This refers to the love that Paul thanked God for in verse 5.

encouragement: When Philemon showed that he loved God’s people, it helped to strengthen Paul’s ability to trust God and it helped to comfort him while he was in prison.

7b

because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints: Paul was very happy because Philemon had caused God’s people to be happy.

because: Paul was thinking about a specific way that Philemon had showed God’s people that he loved them when he mentioned Philemon’s love in 7a. Verse 7b explains what specific way of showing love Paul was thinking about in 7a.

brother: See the note on verse 1b.

refreshed: (Good News Translation🙂 “cheered.” This means when someone causes someone else to rest, to feel better, to be happy, to have new courage, to be encouraged.

the hearts of the saints: This refers to the way God’s people felt in their inner selves, in their souls.

General Comment on 1:7

Here are two different ways to translate verse 7:

My brother, you love God’s people and you have made them happy. This gives me great joy and comfort.

-or-

Brother, you love your fellow believers there and it causes me to feel great joy. It has also strengthened my faith because you have caused God’s people to be happy.

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