Colossians 1:8
ESV
and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
NIV
and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
NASB
and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
CSB
and he has told us about your love in the Spirit.
NLT
He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.
KJV
Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
NKJV
who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
What does Colossians 1:8 mean?
This verse completes the thought which Paul began in verse 7. Based on this, it seems Epaphras shared a report of the love of the Colossian believers to Paul and Timothy in Rome. According to Philemon 1:23, Epaphras was a prisoner in Rome along with Paul at some point. This would have given him plenty of time to offer a positive report regarding those he served in Colossae. Christian love is a common and crucial theme of Paul's letters. For him to specifically reference "love" as a characteristic of the Colossian Christians is high praise.The use of "the Spirit" in this verse is of great importance. Verses 6 and 7 mention God and Christ, with the Spirit in this verse completing a clear picture of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Spirit (Matthew 28:19–20). This is crucial when facing the claim that the Trinity was a later addition to the church's beliefs; Paul presents all three Persons of the Trinity together as part of God at work in our world.
