Philemon 6 6so that the fellowship of your faith may become active for the complete knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ.
This verse is God’s answer to Paul’s pray for the growth of Philemon’s faith expressed in verses 4-5. In this verse, Paul’s practice of prayer moves from thanksgiving to petition. This is how God answers Paul’s prayer for Philemon. The key thought and challenge in this verse are the words fellowship of faith. Fellowship (koinōnia) is a common idea in the New Testament that expresses the close bond believers had with one another and with God. The link in this fellowship is the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:1). Paul does not say in this verse with whom Philemon shares faith. However, the context of the letter shows that Philemon’s faith had created a stronger bond with God, Paul, and the church in his home. Faith in the same Lord and message of salvation brings all believers together. If faith is directed to the wrong object, it can bring division. Paul builds future exhortations on the foundation of Philemon’s faith.
The answer to Paul’s prayer appears in the last part of the verse. He hopes to see Philemon’s faith become active (energēs) and full of “energy.” He hopes to see results, and these will become evident in complete knowledge (epignōsei). This word is the emphatic form for “knowledge” and indicates a more intimate and personal awareness of the object studied. This is more than a casual intellectual knowledge that comes from studying a few books. This is knowledge that is lived out everyday.
Paul hopes specifically that Philemon’s knowledge of every good thing which is in us for Christ. Christ is doing a powerful work in each believer and in the fellowship we share together. Every good has limitless possibilities because the good God is doing these good things in order to change us to be like his good will. These good things are being done in us, so this change begins as a spiritual transformation. These good things are done for the sake of honoring Christ, not ourselves or anything else in this world. Paul wrote to the Colossians that they should do everything as if working for Christ (Colossians 3:23). When all of these ideas are brought together, Paul believes God is doing a great work in Philemon’s heart, and this powerful change will affect everything Philemon does, including his response to this letter.
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