6. 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,"
2Co 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
recognition of every grace which is in us Christians, in so far
as we realize the Christian character. In short, that thy faith may by
acts be proved to be "a faith which worketh by love."
in Christ Jesus--rather as Greek, "unto Christ
Jesus," that is, to the glory of Christ Jesus. Two of the oldest
manuscripts omit "Jesus." This verse answers to
Phm 5,
"thy love and faith toward all saints"; Paul never ceases to mention
him in his prayers, in order that his faith may still further
show its power in his relation to others, by exhibiting every grace
which is in Christians to the glory of Christ. Thus he paves the way
for the request in behalf of Onesimus.
JFB.
Picture Study Bible