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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Colossians 1:8 and who also informed us of your love in the Spirit.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/colossians/1-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/51_Col_01_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Colossians 1:8 - Thanksgiving and Prayer" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and who also informed us of your love in the Spirit." /><script type="application/javascript" 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scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/colossians/1-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/colossians/1-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/colossians/">Colossians</a> > <a href="/colossians/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/colossians/1-7.htm" title="Colossians 1:7">◄</a> Colossians 1:8 <a href="/colossians/1-9.htm" title="Colossians 1:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/colossians/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/colossians/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/colossians/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/colossians/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/colossians/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />and who also informed us of your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/colossians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />the <i>one</i> also having made known to us your love in <i>the</i> Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/colossians/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/colossians/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/colossians/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/colossians/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/colossians/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/colossians/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />who also informed us of your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/colossians/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and he also has told us of your love [well-grounded and nurtured] in the [Holy] Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/colossians/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and he has told us about your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/colossians/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and he has told us about your love in the Spirit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/colossians/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/colossians/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He is also the one who told us about the love that God's Spirit has given you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/colossians/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/colossians/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />and has told us about the love that the Spirit has given you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/colossians/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He has told us of the love that the Spirit has given you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/colossians/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He has told us about your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/colossians/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />who also told us of your love in the Spirit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/colossians/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/colossians/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/colossians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and moreover he has informed us of your love, which is inspired by the Spirit.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/colossians/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />and who also informed us of your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/colossians/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/colossians/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/colossians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />the <i>one</i> also having made known to us your love in <i>the</i> Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/colossians/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> who also did declare to us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/colossians/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He also having manifested to us your love in the Spirit.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/colossians/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who also hath manifested to us your love in the spirit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/colossians/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he has also manifested to us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/colossians/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/colossians/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/colossians/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And who has made known to us your love for spiritual things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/colossians/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And he has made known to us your love, which is in The Spirit.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/colossians/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />and who also made known to us your love in spirit.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/colossians/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />who also having revealed to us your divine love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/colossians/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/colossians/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />who also declared to us the love you bear to us upon a spiritual account.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/colossians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and moreover he has informed us of your love, which is inspired by the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/colossians/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />who also made known to us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/colossians/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/colossians/1-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7q-K-qsfihQ?start=63" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/colossians/1.htm">Thanksgiving and Prayer</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">and who</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">also</a> <a href="/greek/1213.htm" title="1213: dēlōsas (V-APA-NMS) -- To show, make clear, reveal. From delos; to make plain.">informed</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmin (PPro-D1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">us</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">of your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/26.htm" title="26: agapēn (N-AFS) -- From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.">love</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: Pneumati (N-DNS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">the Spirit.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">9</span>For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22</a></span><br />But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-5.htm">Romans 5:5</a></span><br />And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-15.htm">Ephesians 1:15-16</a></span><br />For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, / I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/1-9.htm">Philippians 1:9</a></span><br />And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7-8</a></span><br />Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1-3</a></span><br />If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. / If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. / If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34-35</a></span><br />A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:9</a></span><br />Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-6.htm">2 Corinthians 6:6</a></span><br />in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/3-17.htm">Ephesians 3:17-19</a></span><br />so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, / will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth / of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-22.htm">1 Peter 1:22</a></span><br />Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-14.htm">1 John 3:14</a></span><br />We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-30.htm">Romans 15:30</a></span><br />Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/1-7.htm">2 Timothy 1:7</a></span><br />For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12</a></span><br />No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2"> Who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/colossians/1-4.htm">Colossians 1:4</a></b></br> Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love <i>which ye have</i> to all the saints,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/5-5.htm">Romans 5:5</a></b></br> And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/15-30.htm">Romans 15:30</a></b></br> Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in <i>your</i> prayers to God for me;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/philippians/4-5.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-20.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-5.htm">Informed</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-7.htm">Inspired</a> <a href="/colossians/1-4.htm">Love</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-13.htm">Manifested</a> <a href="/philippians/4-15.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/philippians/4-23.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/colossians/1-9.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/colossians/4-3.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-8.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/genesis/38-24.htm">Informed</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-6.htm">Inspired</a> <a href="/colossians/1-9.htm">Love</a> <a href="/colossians/1-26.htm">Manifested</a> <a href="/colossians/1-18.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/colossians/1-9.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">Colossians 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/1-1.htm">After salutation Paul thanks God for the Colossians' faith;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/1-7.htm">confirms the doctrine of Epaphras;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/1-9.htm">prays further for their increase in grace;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/1-14.htm">describes the supremacy of Christ;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/1-21.htm">encourages them to receive Jesus Christ, and commends his own ministry.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/colossians/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/colossians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/colossians/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>and who also informed us</b><br>This phrase refers to Epaphras, a fellow servant and faithful minister of Christ on behalf of the Colossians. Epaphras is mentioned earlier in the chapter as the one who brought the gospel to the Colossians. His role as an informant to Paul highlights the importance of communication and fellowship among early Christian communities. This reflects the interconnectedness of the early church, where news and encouragement were shared among believers to strengthen their faith and unity. The act of informing Paul about the Colossians' faith and love underscores the communal nature of the early church and the importance of sharing testimonies.<p><b>of your love</b><br>The love mentioned here is agape love, a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love that is a hallmark of Christian character. This love is not merely an emotion but a deliberate act of will, reflecting the love of Christ. In the context of the Colossian church, this love was evident in their relationships with one another and their commitment to the teachings of Christ. The mention of love as a defining characteristic of the Colossians aligns with Jesus' commandment to love one another as He loved us (<a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34-35</a>). It also echoes Paul's teachings in <a href="/1_corinthians/13.htm">1 Corinthians 13</a>, where love is described as the greatest of all virtues.<p><b>in the Spirit</b><br>The phrase "in the Spirit" indicates that the love the Colossians have is not of human origin but is inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the life of believers, guiding, teaching, and enabling them to live according to God's will. This love, therefore, is a fruit of the Spirit, as described in <a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a>, where love is listed as the first fruit. The presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the Colossians is a testament to their genuine faith and transformation through the gospel. It also serves as a reminder that true Christian love is not achievable through human effort alone but requires the work of the Spirit within us.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a></b><br>The apostle who wrote the letter to the Colossians. He is addressing the believers in Colossae, encouraging them in their faith.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/epaphras.htm">Epaphras</a></b><br>A fellow servant and faithful minister of Christ on behalf of the Colossians. He informed Paul about the Colossians' love in the Spirit.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/colossae.htm">Colossae</a></b><br>An ancient city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) where the recipients of this letter lived. The church there was likely founded by Epaphras.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_holy_spirit.htm">The Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The third person of the Trinity, who empowers believers to love and live according to God's will.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_source_of_true_love.htm">The Source of True Love</a></b><br>True Christian love originates from the Holy Spirit. It is not merely a human emotion but a divine attribute imparted to believers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling believers to love one another genuinely. This love is a testimony of the Spirit's presence in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community.htm">The Importance of Community</a></b><br>The report of the Colossians' love in the Spirit highlights the importance of Christian community and mutual encouragement in faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_out_love.htm">Living Out Love</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to actively demonstrate love in our daily interactions, reflecting the Spirit's work within us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_and_testimony.htm">Encouragement and Testimony</a></b><br>Sharing testimonies of love and faith within the community can encourage others and strengthen the body of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_colossians_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Colossians 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_being_hidden_with_christ.htm">What was the Church at Colossae's significance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_handle_negativity.htm">What does the Bible say about handling negativity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_view_on_education.htm">What does the Bible teach about education?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_consistently_achieve_goals.htm">What defines a monitoring spirit?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/colossians/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Who also declared unto us.</span>--This refers to news recently brought by Epaphras to St. Paul at Rome. He had been a minister in St. Paul's stead; he now, like Timothy afterwards, visited him to give account of his deputed work.<p><span class= "bld">Your love in the Spirit.</span>--"In the Spirit" is "in the grace of the Holy Ghost"--the Spirit of love. The love here would seem to be especially love towards St. Paul, a part of the "love towards all the saints" ascribed to them above (<a href="/colossians/1-4.htm" title=" Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints,">Colossians 1:4</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/colossians/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Who also showed us your love in (the) Spirit</span> (<a href="/2_corinthians/7-7.htm">2 Corinthians 7:7</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/8-7.htm">2 Corinthians 8:7</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 3:6</a>; <a href="/philippians/4-10.htm">Philippians 4:10</a>); <span class="accented">i.e.</span> your <span class="accented">love</span> to us. <span class="accented">Timothy and myself</span>, especially if we read "in our behalf" in ver. 7: so, many interprefers, from Chrysostom to Klopper. Epaphras had conveyed the blessings of the gospel from St. Paul to the Colossians, and they now send back the grateful assurance of their love by the same channel (comp, note on "having heard," ver. 4, and parallel passages). This was a choice fruit of the gospel in them (comp. <a href="/philippians/4-10.htm">Philippians 4:10, 15-18</a>), and such a reference to it gives a kindly conclusion to the thanksgiving. Ellicott and others understand here <span class="accented">brotherly love in general</span> - a somewhat pointless repetition of ver. 4. Meyer, reading "on your behalf" in ver. 7. more suitably suggests the Colossians' <span class="accented">love to Epaphras</span> in return for his services to them. The <span class="accented">Spirit</span> is the ruling element of the Colossians' love (<a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22</a>) Love-in-the-Sprat forms a single compound phrase, like "faith-in-Christ-Jesus" (ver. 4). The one <span class="accented">Spirit</span> dwells alike in all the members of Christ's body, however sundered by place or circumstance (<a href="/ephesians/4-1.htm">Ephesians 4:1-4</a>), and makes them one in love to each other as to him (<a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34, 35</a>; <a href="/1_john/3-23.htm">1 John 3:23, 24</a>). "Spirit" occurs besides in this Epistle only in <a href="/colossians/2-5.htm">Colossians 2:5</a> (but see "spiritual," ver. 9), and some find in <a href="/colossians/2-1.htm">Colossians 2:1, 5</a> the explanation of this phrase (<span class="accented">sc.</span> "a love formed in absence, without personal intercourse:" but this is forced, and doubtful in point of grammar). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 9-14.</span> - The <span class="accented">opening prayer</span> rises out of the foregoing thanksgiving, and leads up to the chief doctrinal statement of the Epistle (vers. 15-20: compare, for the connection, <a href="/ephesians/1-15.htm">Ephesians 1:15-23</a>; <a href="/romans/1-8.htm">Romans 1:8-17</a>). The burden of this prayer, as in other letters of this period, is the Church's need of <span class="accented">knowledge</span> (comp. <a href="/ephesians/1-17.htm">Ephesians 1:17, 18</a>; <a href="/philippians/1-9.htm">Philippians 1:9, 10</a>). Here this desire has its fullest expression, as the necessity of the Colossians in this. respect was the more urgent and their situation, therefore, the more fully representative of the stage in the history of the Pauline Churches now commencing. He asks for his readers <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> a fuller knowledge of the Divine will (ver. 9); to result in <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> greater pleasingness to God (ver. 10 a), due <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> to increased moral fruitfulness and spiritual growth (ver. 10 b), to . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/colossians/1-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">[and] who</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">also</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">informed</span><br /><span class="grk">δηλώσας</span> <span class="translit">(dēlōsas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1213.htm">Strong's 1213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To show, make clear, reveal. From delos; to make plain.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">us</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡμῖν</span> <span class="translit">(hēmin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of your</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hymōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">love</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀγάπην</span> <span class="translit">(agapēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_26.htm">Strong's 26: </a> </span><span class="str2">From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] Spirit.</span><br /><span class="grk">Πνεύματι</span> <span class="translit">(Pneumati)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, spirit. </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/colossians/1-8.htm">Colossians 1:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/colossians/1-8.htm">Colossians 1:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/colossians/1-8.htm">Colossians 1:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/colossians/1-8.htm">Colossians 1:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/colossians/1-8.htm">Colossians 1:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/colossians/1-8.htm">Colossians 1:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/colossians/1-8.htm">Colossians 1:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/colossians/1-8.htm">Colossians 1:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/colossians/1-8.htm">Colossians 1:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/colossians/1-8.htm">Colossians 1:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/colossians/1-8.htm">NT Letters: Colossians 1:8 Who also declared to us your love (Coloss. 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