For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

χαρὰν γὰρ πολλὴν ἔσχον καὶ παράκλησιν ἐπὶ τῇ ἀγάπῃ σου, ὅτι τὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων ἀναπέπαυται διὰ σοῦ, ἀδελφέ.

Early Fathers

John Chrysostom (349-407)

Homilies on Philemon

Ver. 7. For we have [I had] great joy and consolation in your love, because the bowels [hearts] of the Saints are refreshed by you, brother.

Nothing so shames us into giving, as to bring forward the kindnesses bestowed on others, and particularly when a man is more entitled to respect than they. And he has not said, If you do it to others, much more to me; but he has insinuated the same thing, though he has contrived to do it in another and a more gracious manner.

I had joy, that is, you have given me confidence from the things which you have done to others. And consolation, that is, we are not only gratified, but we are also comforted. For they are members of us. If then there ought to be such an agreement, that in the refreshing of any others who are in affliction, though we obtain nothing, we should be delighted on their account, as if it were one body that was benefited; much more if you shall refresh us also. And he has not said, Because you yield, and compliest, but even more vehemently and emphatically, because the bowels of the Saints, as if it were for a darling child fondly loved by its parents, so that this love and affection shows that he also is exceedingly beloved by them.

[For moral, see Phm 1:16]