---

I. THE REASON OR CAUSE THAT MOVED PAUL TO GIVE THANKS FOR PHILEMON'S LOVE.

1. His joy, which Philemon's love ministered to him, and that no small or slender joy, but great joy.

2. His comfort, which he received by the same love, and this latter is an amplification of the former: for Paul hereby signifieth that the joy he took in Philemon's love was not a simple joy but a comfortable joy, such a joy as did countervail and swallow up all the grief of his present afflictions.Here observe —

1. That whatsoever breeds joy is a just matter of thanksgiving; for this is the reason of Paul's thanksgiving for Philemon — "For we have great joy in thy love."

2. That joy is a singular and wonderful blessing of God, for which special thanks are due unto him.

3. Observe what that is which must stir us up to thanksgiving, and cause us to perform it in due manner, namely, the feeling of joy in the benefit bestowed upon us.

4. Mark that Paul did not only take joy but comfort in Philemon's love; comfort presupposeth grief as a medicine, a disease. Therefore Paul gives us to understand that Philemon's love was a kind of counter poison to the grief which his imprisonment and other afflictions wrought him. Whereby we may learn what is that which will bring ease and comfort to the minds of God's children in their troubles, namely, the virtue and good carriage of those whom they love and respect. As this will be the comfort of good ministers in their afflictions, if their flocks stand fast in that truth which they have preached.

5. Observe what that is, wherefore we are to take joy in another, viz., his grace. "We have great joy in thy love." This is that which may justly cause parents to rejoice in their children, one friend and kinsman in another.

II. THE CONFIRMATION OF THIS REASON.

1. Here observe that Paul doth not say he hath joy in his love because his own bowels were refreshed by him, but because the saints' bowels were refreshed. Many will rejoice in that love which is profitable to themselves; but where is he that will as well rejoice in that love which is profitable only to others?

2. Mark that then as a most seasonable time of rejoicing when we see the bowels of God's saints refreshed — the Church and people of God relieved in their distresses.

3. In Philemon's example we are all, according to our power, taught to refresh the bowels of God's poor distressed saints, if we will show ourselves to have that love which we profess.

1. In speeches of comfort (Psalm 41:1).

2. In commending and remembering their afflicted estate to God in prayer.

3. In the works of liberality, as the need of the afflicted shall require, and our own ability give us leave.Let us imitate Philemon in refreshing the bowels of the saints, knowing —

1. That God Himself hath pronounced such blessed (Psalm 41; Matthew 5:1).

2. That herein we imitate the Spirit of God (Romans 8:26), whose office it is to comfort the hearts of the afflicted saints.

3. That by the same means we refresh the bowels, not only of the afflicted but also of others, who long to bear the afflictions of their brethren.

4. Yea, not only so, but we shall refresh the bowels of Christ Himself.

5. That hereby we shall enlarge the spirit, not only of the afflicted but of all other good men besides, to whom our love is known, in praying to God for us.

6. That if we reap not this benefit of our love from men who may prove ungrateful and unmindful, yet God is not unjust, that He should forget the about of our love which we have showed towards His name, ministering to the saints (Hebrews 6). Nay, He will cause it to be as seed, that shall bring us a plentiful harvest of many temporal blessings in this life, and of eternal life itself at the resurrection of the just.

(D. Dyke, B. D.)

---

---

KJV: For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

WEB: For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.