10/18/25

Philemon 1:6 NASB95 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.

Paul, in his letter to Philemon, starts speaking of the individuals he is writing to in the church. We can't miss the church. He speaks of the individuals by mentioning them by name —Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus —but then ties them to the church that meets in their house. He ties them to the church through verse 5 which says, Philemon 1:5 NASB95 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;

He ties them with love and faith to Jesus first and then the saints, who are the church. Individual believers in Christ fellowshiping together in faith are the church! (If they understand fellowship.)

Then we come to our verse.

I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective.

The word fellowship is the Greek word Koinonia. It means to be joined together in fellowship and active participation. I love the description shared with me many years ago. Fellowship is not being entertained together but being intertwined together.

I pray that the intertwining of your faith may become effective.

It is not possible to intertwine your faith by yourself.

A church should be a body of believers whose faith is in Christ, intertwined together with each other to become effective in active participation in God's commands.

(We all probably need to read that again.)

Then, as the verse continues, through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.

All good things are from God as God alone is good. In fellowship with God, we receive the knowledge that Christ has given us good, FOR HIS SAKE. Therefore we need to be intertwined in active participation with faith in the body for Christ.

Activity exercises your faith.

So as the faith grows intertwined together in the church for Christ so grows the church in Christ.

Are there gaps in the intertwining of your church that causes lack of faith and active participation for the sake of Christ?

Are you the gap?

Do you even have a church?

You cannot fellowship your faith alone.

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.

Love Bro. Scott