Good Works And Knowledge

Gratias ago Deo meo, semper mentionem tui faciens in orationibus meis, audiens fidem tuam et charitatem, quam habes in Dominum Jesum, et in omnes sanctos; ut communicatio tua accepta fiat in agnitione omnis boni, quae in nobis est in Christo. Gaudere se dicit, et Deo gratias referre in precibus suis, quia firmus erat in fide et bonis operibus insistebat: qui enim diligit Christum, probare hoc debet in servos ejus, sciens Dominum sibi imputaturum quidquid constiterit erogatum in servis. Apostolus tamen hoc se dicit addere precibus, ut operatio ejus cum cognitione fiat bonitatis; hoc est, ut tali hoc mente operetur, ut in futurum hujus rei exspectet mercedem. Ambrosiaster, In Epistolam Beati Pauli Ad Philomenem Source: Migne PL 17 504-505

'I gave thanks to my God, always making mention of you in my prayers, hearing of your faith and charity which you have in the Lord Jesus and in all the saints, that your faithful fellowship received may be in the knowledge of all good which in us is in Christ.' 1  He says that he rejoices and refers to giving thanks to God in his prayers, for firm he was in faith and he persevered in good works. For he who loves Christ, should prove this in his servants, knowing that the Lord shall impute to him what he gives to his servants. However, the Apostle adds to the prayers, that his work be with knowledge of the good, that is, that he will act with such a mind, that in the future he might hope for the reward of it. Ambrosiaster, Commentary On The Epistle of Saint Paul To Philemon 1 Philemon 4-6