Philemon 1:4

Thanksgiving and Prayer

4. I thank my God For the phrase precisely cp. Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Philippians 1:3 (where see our note). All the Epistles of St Paul, save only Galatians, contain a thanksgiving in their first greetings.

" My God:" so Rom., 1 Cor., Phil., just quoted, and Philippians 4:19. Profound personal appropriation and realization speaks in the phrase.

making mention of thee So Romans 1:9; Ephesians 1:16, where see note; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; and cp. Philippians 1:3. How often the names written in his Epistles must have been uttered in his prayers!

always Alford, Lightfoot, and R.V., connect this word with "I give thanks"; the Greek order of the sentence allowing it. Ellicott divides as A.V. The question, happily unimportant, is very much one of rhythm and balance, and we think this inclines to A.V. If so, he means that Philemon is habitually mentioned whenever his converts are present in his thanksgivings.

in Lit., "on" ;on occasion of, at the times of.