What Does Philemon 1:4 Mean in the King James?

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

Philemon 1:4 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Gratitude and remembrance move together here: favor received becomes a person held before God.

THE MEANING

This verse holds you as someone personally remembered before God, not reduced to a passing thought. Thanksgiving and prayer keep your presence in view together.

THE ROOT

εὐχαριστῶ

eucharistō

GROWS FROM

χάρις

charis

Favor; a gracious gift.

“thank” in this verse is eucharistō. The verb ⁨εὐχαριστῶ⁩ is formed from ⁨εὖ⁩ (eu, well) and ⁨χάρις⁩ (charis, favor). Its thankfulness carries the sense of recognizing favor, so the verse joins gratitude to the goodness received through relationship.

ALSO GROWS

charis: Favor; gracious gift.

χάρις

This is the root within “thank,” revealing favor beneath the act of giving thanks.

eucharistia: Thanksgiving; gratitude.

εὐχαριστία

This related word keeps the favor-family visible in the practice of thanksgiving.

μνείαν

mneian

GROWS FROM

⁨μνη-⁩/⁨μνα-⁩ (mnē-/mna-)

Remember; call to mind.

“making mention” in this verse is mneian. The Greek noun ⁨μνείαν⁩ carries the sense of remembrance as well as mention. The person is not merely named; they are actively brought to mind in prayer, where remembrance becomes sustained attention.

ALSO GROWS

mneia: Remembrance; mention.

μνεία

This is the noun behind “making mention,” showing that the phrase holds remembering within speaking.

mimnēskomai: Remember; call to mind.

μιμνήσκομαι

This related verb makes clear that the same word-family carries active recollection.

THE PATTERN

Remembering another person in prayer keeps them present before God with sustained care.

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

1 Samuel 12:23 · KJVPrayer for another is described as a continuing responsibility that keeps them in view.

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Romans 1:9 · KJVThe verse joins ongoing remembrance of others with their being held in prayer.

Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Ephesians 1:16 · KJVThanksgiving and mention appear together, as they do in Philemon.

THE THREAD

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Philippians 1:3 · KJV

This verse places thanksgiving directly upon remembrance of another person. It opens the same pairing in Philemon 1:4, where gratitude and mention in prayer hold together.

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