“μνείαν σου ποιούμενος ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου”: Participial Thanksgiving and Remembrance in Philemon 4

Introduction: Gratitude in the Form of Prayer

Paul opens his letter to Philemon with this tender line:

Εὐχαριστῶ τῷ Θεῷ μου πάντοτε μνείαν σου ποιούμενος ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου
“I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers.”

The participial phrase μνείαν σου ποιούμενος explains how and when Paul expresses his thanksgiving. The present tense of both the main verb and the participle expresses continual action, and the grammar reveals Paul’s relational depth and spiritual consistency.

This verse combines:

• A present indicative verb of gratitude (Εὐχαριστῶ)
• A present middle participle (ποιούμενος) explaining the manner or circumstance of that thanksgiving
• A genitive object (μνείαν σου) — “remembrance of you”
• A prepositional phrase indicating location/context (ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου)

Morphological Breakdown

1. Εὐχαριστῶ {efcharistṓ} –
   Root: εὐχαριστέω {eucharistéō};
   Form: present active indicative, 1st person singular;
   Meaning: “I give thanks”;
   Notes: Regular epistolary opening for Paul; expresses ongoing gratitude.
2. τῷ Θεῷ μου {tō Theō moû} –
   Form: dative masculine singular noun + possessive pronoun;
   Translation: “to my God”;
   Function: indirect object of Εὐχαριστῶ
3. πάντοτε {pántote} –
   Form: adverb;
   Meaning: “always”;
   Usage: emphasizes the continual nature of Paul’s thanksgiving.
4. μνείαν {mnían} –
   Root: μνεία {mneía};
   Form: accusative feminine singular noun;
   Meaning: “mention,” “remembrance”;
   Function: object of ποιούμενος
5. σου {sou} –
   Form: genitive second person singular pronoun;
   Meaning: “of you”;
   Usage: possessive modifier of μνεία – “remembrance of you”
6. ποιούμενος {poioúmenos} –
   Root: ποιέω {poiéō};
   Form: present middle participle, nominative masculine singular;
   Voice: middle;
   Usage: agrees with Paul as the subject of Εὐχαριστῶ;
   Meaning: “making (mention)”
   Function: adverbial participle expressing manner or attendant circumstance
7. ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου {epì tōn proseuchōn moû} –
   Form: preposition + genitive plural noun + possessive pronoun;
   Meaning: “in the context of my prayers,” “during my prayers”;
   Function: locative/genitive of context—describes when Paul makes this mention.

Syntactical Analysis: Participial Action with Verbal Complement

The structure:
– Main clause: “I give thanks to my God always”
– Participial phrase: “making mention of you”
– Context: “in my prayers”

The participle ποιούμενος governs the object μνείαν σου and tells us how Paul gives thanks: by consistently mentioning Philemon by name in prayer.

Semantic and Pastoral Implications

The middle voice of ποιούμενος expresses:
– Personal engagement
– Deliberate action

Paul doesn’t just remember Philemon—he intentionally names him in prayer. The present tense participle implies repeated, perhaps daily, remembrance.

μνείαν in Koine Greek was often used in epistolary thanksgiving formulas. It reflects honor, affection, and intercession.

Literary and Epistolary Function

This construction:
– Establishes the tone of the letter—warm, prayerful, affectionate
– Prepares the reader for a personal appeal (verses 8–21)
– Shows Paul’s pastoral heart: gratitude that leads to intercession

Always Making Mention

Paul doesn’t just thank God.

He thanks Him always
While making mention
Of one beloved brother
In his daily prayers.

This is grammar with soul—
thanksgiving in participial form.