The answer is: His love and faith towards Jesus

v4-5

The Apostle Paul’s letter to Philemon is one of the shortest books in the New Testament, yet it carries profound implications, especially highlighting themes of love and faith. When Paul talks about hearing of Philemon’s love and faith towards Jesus, he’s not just complimenting him; he’s underscoring the power of relationships in the early Christian community.

Philemon, a wealthy Christian slave owner in Colossae, was known not just for his personal devotion but also for how that love translated into action within the community. His faith was manifest in the caring and support he expressed to his fellow believers, which reflects an immediate connection to the broader teachings of Jesus about loving one another.

Here’s something interesting—Philemon’s letter is special for a few reasons. Unlike many epistles that often address doctrinal issues or broad theological concepts, this letter is all about interpersonal relationships, bridging gaps such as race and class. The character Onesimus, a runaway slave who becomes a Christian, illustrates the potential for transformation in relationships through faith. Paul's appeal to Philemon to welcome Onesimus back not just as a slave but as "more than a slave, a beloved brother" (v.16) reinforces this idea of reconciling relationships in a profoundly impactful way.

Such personal appeals and intimate reflections remind us that faith is lived out in community, emphasizing core teachings of mutual love and respect that are timeless.