Philemon 1:4
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
Original Language Analysis
Εὐχαριστῶ
I thank
G2168
Εὐχαριστῶ
I thank
Strong's:
G2168
Word #:
1 of 12
to be grateful, i.e., (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεῷ
God
G2316
Θεῷ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
3 of 12
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ποιούμενος
making
G4160
ποιούμενος
making
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
8 of 12
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 1:8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.Colossians 1:3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,Ephesians 1:16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;1 Thessalonians 1:2We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;2 Thessalonians 1:3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;2 Timothy 1:3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;Philippians 1:3I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Historical Context
Paul's prison ministry included constant prayer (Ephesians 1:16, Philippians 1:3-4, Colossians 1:9, 2 Timothy 1:3). Despite physical constraints, he exercised spiritual ministry. Roman house arrest (Acts 28:30) allowed visitors and correspondence, enabling Paul's continued apostolic work through letters and prayer. His thanksgiving tradition rooted in Jewish berakhot (blessings) but Christianized through Christ's mediation.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you maintain consistent, specific intercessory prayer for believers you know, or is prayer sporadic and vague?
- How does Paul's example of praying "always" for others challenge your prayer life's frequency and focus?
- What prevents you from consistent prayer—busyness, unbelief, self-sufficiency—and how can you overcome these barriers?
Analysis & Commentary
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers—εὐχαριστῶ τῷ θεῷ μου (eucharistō tō theō mou, I thank my God) πάντοτε μνείαν σου ποιούμενος (pantote mneian sou poioumenos, always making remembrance of you) ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου (epi tōn proseuchōn mou, in my prayers). Paul's thanksgiving follows Pauline pattern (Romans 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:4, Philippians 1:3, Colossians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:2), here preparing for appeal. πάντοτε (pantote, always) indicates habitual, not sporadic prayer.
Paul's intercessory ministry demonstrates pastoral care: imprisoned, he prays for others. The thanksgiving establishes positive rapport before the difficult request (v. 8-20). Ancient rhetoric called this captatio benevolentiae (capturing goodwill). But Paul's gratitude is genuine, not manipulative—he thanks God for Philemon's character (v. 5-7) as evidence of grace.