Devine Scripture

Colossians 1:8

What does Colossians 1:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 1:8 means

Epaphras “declared” to Paul and his companions the Colossians’ “love in the Spirit.” Their love is not merely natural affection; it is the Spirit’s work, aligning their hearts with God’s. This love marks them as truly born of God and evidences the gospel’s power. Paul listens to reports from trusted servants and responds with prayer, not suspicion. The Spirit’s role is essential: love for the saints is a fruit He produces, guarding against cold orthodoxy or self-made religion. The Colossians’ Spirit-given love encourages Paul that God is at work among them, and it directs his prayers toward deeper spiritual understanding and steadfastness amid pressures from false teaching.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And who, himself, made clear to us your love in the Spirit.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

who also did declare to us your love in the Spirit.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who also hath manifested your love in the spirit.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

who has also manifested to us your love in [the] Spirit.

Context

Verse 8 closes Paul’s thanksgiving by highlighting the Spirit’s fruit among the Colossians, as reported by Epaphras. This positive assessment transitions to Paul’s intercessory prayer in verses 9–12: because God has begun a good work among them, Paul asks for further growth in knowledge, holiness, endurance, and gratitude. The shift from report to request keeps the focus on God’s ongoing work and readies the readers to receive the rich Christ-centered teaching that follows (verses 13–20).

v.7even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

v.8This passage

v.9For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 5:5

    and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

  • 1 Peter 1:22

    Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:

  • Romans 15:30

    Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

  • Colossians 1:4

    having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have toward all the saints,

  • 2 Timothy 1:7

    For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.

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