Philemon 1:4

I always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers,

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to Philemon at the opening of his letter, immediately following the grace greeting in verse 3. He positions his prayer life as the immediate context before introducing the letter's central request.

The words — The text centers on Εὐχαριστῶ (Eucharistō), meaning "I thank," and the participial phrase μνείαν ποιούμενος (mneian poioumenos), literally "making mention" or "remembering." Paul explicitly states that his continual gratitude is expressed through praying for Philemon.

The thread — This structural pattern of thanksgiving paired with prayerful remembrance appears in Philippians 1:3 and Ephesians 1:16. Romans 1:8 similarly records Paul thanking God for his recipients, though it grounds the gratitude in the proclamation of their faith rather than their behavior.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to maintain a disciplined habit of intercessory prayer for others. It places thanksgiving to God ahead of personal appeals, establishing a spiritual posture before any practical request.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ΕὐχαριστῶEucharistōI thank τῷtōthe θεῷtheōGod μουmouof mine πάντοτεpantotealways μνείανmneianmention σουsouof you ποιούμενοςpoioumenosmaking ἐπὶepiupon τῶνtōnthe προσευχῶνproseuchōnprayers μου,mouof mine,

King James Version

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

Cross-references

Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world.
Ephesians 1:16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
Colossians 1:3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
1 Thessalonians 1:2 We always thank God for all of you, remembering you in our prayers
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers.