Philemon 1:6

“That the communication of thy faith, &c.] The grace of faith itself cannot be communicated from one to another; a believing parent cannot communicate it to his children, nor a master to his servants, nor a minister to his hearers; but an account of it, of its actings and exercises, of the joy of it, and of the peace a soul is filled with through believing, may be given to the mutual comfort and edification of saints; and it may be shown forth to others by the fruits of it, works of righteousness: but here it seems to design acts of beneficence, communicating to the necessities of others, as flowing from faith; and these words are to be connected with (<570104>Philemon 1:4) as a part of the…”

“That--The aim of my thanksgiving and prayers for thee is, in order that the, &c. the communication of thy faith--the imparting of it and its fruits (namely, acts of love and beneficence: as Heb 13:16, "to communicate," that is, to impart a share) to others; or, the liberality to others flowing from thy faith (so the Greek is translated, "liberal distribution," Co2 9:13). effectual by--Greek, "in"; the element in which his liberality had place, that is, may be proved by acts in, &c. acknowledging--Greek, "the thorough knowledge," that is, the experimental or practical recognition. of every good thing which is in you--The oldest manuscripts read, "which is in US," that is, the practical…”

“That the communication of thy faith - That is, this was a subject of prayer on the part of the apostle, that the “communication of his faith” might receive from all the proper acknowledgment of the good which he did in the Christian cause. The phrase translated “communication of thy faith,” means the making of thy faith common to others; that is, enabling others to partake of the fruits of it, to wit, by good deeds. On the meaning of the word here rendered “communication” (κοινωνία koinōnia), see the notes at Ephesians 3:9; compare Philippians 2:1; Philippians 3:10. Calvin has well expressed the sense of this passage. “It is to be observed that the apostle here does not proceed in the…”

“I pray that the communication of thy faith may become effectual - That is, that thy faith may be effectually communicated to others, who see and acknowledge thy piety and charity. Philemon 1:7”

“1:6 This verse can be translated in different ways. Paul is hinting that Philemon should be gracious toward Onesimus in light of God’s goodness to Philemon (cp. 1:10, 17-19).”

“the communication: Co2 9:12-14; Phi 1:9-11; Tit 3:14; Heb 6:10; Jam 2:14, Jam 2:17 the acknowledging: Mat 5:16; Co1 14:25; Phi 4:8; Pe1 1:5-8, Pe1 2:12, Pe1 3:1, Pe1 3:16 in you: Pe2 1:8 Philemon 1:7”