PHM 1:6 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of everything good that is among us for Christ.

UST I also pray that as you trust in the Messiah, just as we trust in him, you will understand even more all the good things the Messiah has given to us for serving him.

BLB so that the fellowship of your faith might become effective in the acknowledgment of every good thing that is in you toward Christ.

AICNT so that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing that is in {you}[fn] for Christ [[Jesus]].[fn]

1:6, you: Later manuscripts read “us.” TR

1:6, Jesus: Later manuscripts add. BYZ TR

OEB and I pray that your participation in the faith may result in action, as you come to a fuller realisation of everything that is good and Christlike in us.

CSB I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ.

NLT And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

NIV I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.

CEV As you share your faith with others, I pray they may come to know all the blessings Christ has given us.

ESV and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

NASB and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.

LSB and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the full knowledge of every good thing which is in you for the sake of Christ.

WEBBE that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.

WMBB that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Messiah Yeshua.

MSG ^(4-7)Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, “Oh, thank you, God!” I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other believers. And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it. Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.

NET I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.

LSV that the fellowship of your faith may become working in the full knowledge of every good thing that [is] in you toward Christ Jesus;

FBV I pray that you will put the generous nature of your trust in God into action as you recognize all the good things we share in Christ.

TCNT I pray that yoʋr fellowship with us in the faith may be effective in deepening yoʋr understanding of every blessing that [fn]we have in Christ [fn]Jesus.

1:6 we [64.4%] ¦ you PCK TR [34.7%]

1:6 Jesus [96.6%] ¦ — CT [2.1%]

T4T I pray that as a result of your knowing all the good things that God/Christ has done for us, you may ◄be effective/influence many others► as you tell others what you believe, in order that they may honor Christ.

LEB No LEB PHM 1:6 verse available

NRSV I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ.

NKJV that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

NAB so that your partnership in the faith may become effective in recognizing every good there is in us that leads to Christ.

BBE That the faith which you have in common with them may be working with power, in the knowledge of every good thing in you, for Christ.

Moff I pray that by their participation in your loyal faith they may have a vivid sense of how much good we Christians can attain.

Wymth praying as I do, that their participation in your faith may result in others fully recognizing all the right affection that is in us toward Christ.

ASV that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.

DRA That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work, that is in you in Christ Jesus.

YLT that the fellowship of thy faith may become working in the full knowledge of every good thing that [is] in you toward Christ Jesus;

Drby in such sort that thy participation in the faith should become operative in the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in us towards Christ [Jesus].

RV that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.
(that the fellowship of thy/your faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ. )

SLT So that the mutual participation of thy faith might be effective in acknowledgment of every good in you to Christ Jesus.

Wbstr That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

KJB-1769 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
(That the communication of thy/your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. )

KJB-1611 That the communication of thy faith may become effectuall by the acknowledging of euery good thing, which is in you in Christ Iesus.
(That the communication of thy/your faith may become effectuall by the acknowledging of every good thing, which is in you in Christ Yesus/Yeshua.)

Bshps That the felowshippe of thy fayth may be effectuall in the knowledge of euery good worke which is in you, towarde Christe Iesus.
(That the fellowshippe of thy/your faith may be effectuall in the knowledge of every good work which is in you, toward Christ Yesus/Yeshua.)

Gnva That the fellowship of thy faith may bee made effectuall, and that whatsoeuer good thing is in you through Christ Iesus, may be knowen.
(That the fellowship of thy/your faith may be made effectuall, and that whatsoever good thing is in you through Christ Yesus/Yeshua, may be known. )

Cvdl that oure comen faith maye be frutefull in the, thorow knowlege of all ye good that ye haue in Christ Iesu.
(that our came faith may be fruitful in them, through knowledge of all ye/you_all good that ye/you_all have in Christ Yesu.)

TNT so that the fellisshippe that thou hast in the fayth is frutefull thorow knowledge of all good thinges which are in you by Iesus Christ.
(so that the fellisshippe that thou/you hast in the faith is fruitful through knowledge of all good things which are in you by Yesus/Yeshua Christ. )

Wycl that the comynyng of thi feith be maad opyn, in knowing of al good thing in Crist Jhesu.
(that the commoning of thy/your faith be made open, in knowing of all good thing in Christ Yhesu.)

Luth daß dein Glaube, den wir miteinander haben, in dir kräftig werde durch Erkenntnis alles des Guten, das ihr habt in Christo JEsu.
(that your(s) faith, the we/us together have, in you/to_you(sg) kräftig become through knowledge all/everything the good_(things/ones), the you(pl)/their/her have in Christo Yesu.)

ClVg ut communicatio fidei tuæ evidens fiat in agnitione omnis operis boni, quod est in vobis in Christo Jesu.[fn]
(as communicatio of_faith yours evidens fiat in/into/on lambtione everyone work good, that it_is in/into/on to_you(pl) in/into/on to_Christ/Messiah Yesu. )

1.6 Ut communicatio. Quasi dicat: Fidem habes et charitatem in Christo et in sanctis, ita ut communicatio fidei tuæ evidens fiat, id est, ut fides tua communicans fidei nostræ; vel, quod aliis ex fide tua communicas evidens sit. Et hoc, In agnitione omnis. Id est, ita evidens sit, hoc merito cognoscatur omne bonum esse in te per Christum, id est omnium bonorum sufficientia. Ut ita: Memor sum tui, et gratias ago in orationibus habitis de hoc, ut communicatio fidei tuæ, id est operatio fidei qua servis Christo et sanctis, evidens fiat in agnitione quæ est. In Christo Jesu. Id est, cum cognitione boni æterni, ut illud exspectetur in præmium. Hoc enim orat Apostolus, ut operatio ejus cum cognitione fiat bonitatis, id est, ut tali mente operetur, ut in futurum inde exspectet præmium Jesum Christum, non autem retributionem temporalium.

1.6 As communicatio. As_if let_him_say: Faith you_have and charity in/into/on to_Christ/Messiah and in/into/on to_the_saints, so/thus as communicatio of_faith yours evidens fiat, that it_is, as faith your communicans of_faith our; or, that to_others from with_faith your communicas evidens let_it_be. And hoc, In lambtione everyone. That it_is, so/thus evidens be, this deservedly let_him_knowur everything good to_be in/into/on you(sg) through Christ/Messiah, that it_is of_all of_goods sufficientia. As so/thus: Recall/Remember I_am yours(sg), and graces ago in/into/on prayers habitis from/about hoc, as communicatio of_faith yours, that it_is operation of_faith which slaves to_Christ/Messiah and to_the_saints, evidens fiat in/into/on lambtione which it_is. In to_Christ/Messiah Yesu. That it_is, when/with knowledge good eternal, as it/this/that exspectetur in/into/on prize. This because prays Apostolus, as operation his when/with knowledge fiat goodtatis, that it_is, as such mind by_worktur, as in/into/on future therefore/from_there exspectet prize Yesus Christ/Messiah, not/no however retribution temporal.

UGNT ὅπως ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου, ἐνεργὴς γένηται ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ τοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν εἰς Χριστόν.
(hopōs haʸ koinōnia taʸs pisteōs sou, energaʸs genaʸtai en epignōsei pantos agathou tou en haʸmin eis Ⱪriston.)

SBL-GNT ὅπως ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου ἐνεργὴς γένηται ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ ⸀τοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν εἰς ⸀Χριστόν·
(hopōs haʸ koinōnia taʸs pisteōs sou energaʸs genaʸtai en epignōsei pantos agathou ⸀tou en haʸmin eis ⸀Ⱪriston;)

RP-GNT ὅπως ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου ἐνεργὴς γένηται ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ τοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν εἰς χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν.
(hopōs haʸ koinōnia taʸs pisteōs sou energaʸs genaʸtai en epignōsei pantos agathou tou en haʸmin eis ⱪriston Yaʸsoun.)

TC-GNT ὅπως ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου ἐνεργὴς γένηται ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ τοῦ ἐν [fn]ἡμῖν εἰς Χριστὸν [fn]Ἰησοῦν.
(hopōs haʸ koinōnia taʸs pisteōs sou energaʸs genaʸtai en epignōsei pantos agathou tou en haʸmin eis Ⱪriston Yaʸsoun. )

1:6 ημιν [64.4%] ¦ υμιν PCK TR [34.7%]

1:6 ιησουν [96.6%] ¦ — CT [2.1%]

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4–7: Paul thanks God for Philemon and prays for him

After Paul greeted Philemon and his friends, Paul thanked God for him and prayed for him. This is the way he started most of his letters. For other examples, see Philippians 1:3–11 and Colossians 1:3–14. Before he asked Philemon to do something, Paul wanted to tell Philemon how much he loved and respected him. Paul thanked God because Philemon had faith in the Lord Jesus, and because he loved God’s people. This love gave Paul great joy. And Paul prayed that Philemon’s fellowship with other believers would increase and deepen because he (Philemon) knows the good things that God has given believers.

In this Section Paul wrote directly to Philemon. He used only “you (sing)” in verses 4–21, not “you (plur)” as he did in the beginning and end of the letter.

Read verses 4–7 carefully in the BSB and the GNT, and then read the following notes before translating.

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I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ.

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.
I pray that the fellowship which you have with those people who believe in Christ as you believe in him would increase and deepen. I pray that this would be the result of your learning about all the good things that God has given us.^(incl) I want this to happen for the glory of Christ.
I pray that you may fellowship more and more with those who believe, and that you may know all the good things that God has given us.^(incl) I pray this so that people will honor Christ.

(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:

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.
That Sharing means that Philemon shared his faith with others, that is, he told other people about the gospel message he believed. (NIV and CEV 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. NIV 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.” CEV 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.”
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 GNT 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:

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.” JB, NASB and the Amplified Bible follow this interpretation (1).
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 BSB, NIV and GNT 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 Greek New Testament 4th edition rates this reading as a B (very probable) degree of certainty. Of the major English versions, only the KJV and the NASB 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.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὅπως

so_that

Here, that introduces the content of the prayer that Paul mentions in verse 4. If it would be helpful in your language, you could repeat the idea of prayer here. Alternate translation: [I pray that]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου

the fellowship ˱of˲_the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὅπως ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεως σοῦ ἐνεργής γένηται ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντός ἀγαθοῦ τοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν εἰς Χριστόν)

The word translated fellowship means a sharing or a partnership in something. Paul probably intends both meanings, but if you must choose, it could mean: (1) that Philemon shares the same faith in Christ as Paul and others. Alternate translation: [the faith that you share with us] (2) that Philemon is a partner with Paul and others in working for Christ. Alternate translation: [your working together with us as believers]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου, ἐνεργὴς γένηται ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ τοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν εἰς Χριστόν.

If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun faith with a verb such as “trust” or “believe,” and behind knowledge with a verb such as “know” or “learn.” Alternate translation: [as you trust in the Messiah along with us, you may become increasingly better at serving the Messiah, as you learn about all of the good things that he has given us to use for him]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ

in ˓the˒_knowledge in (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὅπως ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεως σοῦ ἐνεργής γένηται ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντός ἀγαθοῦ τοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν εἰς Χριστόν)

This could mean: (1) “and will result in you knowing every good thing” (2) “so that those you share your faith with will know every good thing” Alternate translation: [by knowing everything good]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

εἰς Χριστόν

toward Christ

If it would be helpful in your language, you could state explicitly how “everything good” is for Christ. Alternate translation: [for the sake of Christ] or [for the benefit of Christ]

Parallel PHM 1:6

Section 4–7: Paul thanks God for Philemon and prays for him

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