The answer is: His love and faith towards Jesus

v4-5

The letter to Philemon is like a heartfelt note tucked between the chapters of the New Testament—one that shines a light on individual faith and community. In Philemon, verses 4 and 5, Paul commends his friend for the genuine love and unwavering faith he has shown towards Jesus. This is pretty significant because it tells us how vital personal relationships were in the early Christian communities where mutual encouragement often fortified believers.

Now, Philemon wasn’t just any follower; he seems to have made a positive impact on the lives of others. The mention of love and faith shows that he likely created a welcoming space for believers to come together, share ideas, and grow spiritually. It echoes the still-resonant truth of loving your neighbor as foundational to faith, that we should nurture both our relationship with the divine and those around us.

Interestingly, Philemon is real proof that Christianity was all about messy relationships—even those with servants! The nuance of Paul’s appeal for Onesimus, a runaway slave, adds a fascinating layer to what it meant to live out honesty and empathy in practice. The entire correspondence gives us insights into the social dynamics of the time, reminding us that love and faith were active forces pushing against cultural norms, and encouraging early believers to embrace compassion. If love and faith flourished in Philemon’s heart, perhaps there’s inspiration for us today to cultivate that very same space for those we encounter.