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Colossians 1:8

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Colossians 1:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
Colossians 1:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Colossians 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
6which is come unto you; even as it is also in all the world bearing fruit and increasing, as [it doth] in you also, since the day ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
7even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
8who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
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,
10to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy;
← Colossians 1:7Colossians 1:9 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.] Not only their love to God, and Christ, and to all the saints, which is before mentioned, but their love to the apostle; though they had only heard of him, and of his great capacity for, and faithfulness and usefulness in preaching of the Gospel, which had greatly endeared him to them. This, he says, was in the Spirit; it was spiritual love, to distinguish it from a carnal and worldly one; they loved him for the spiritual grace that was in him, the spiritual gifts bestowed on him, the spiritual service he was engaged in, and the spiritual usefulness he was of: or they loved him in, and with their spirits, with all their hearts, sincerely,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“your love-- (Col 1:4); "to all the saints." in the Spirit--the sphere or element IN which alone true love is found; as distinguished from the state of those "in the flesh" (Rom 8:9). Yet even they needed to be stirred up to greater love (Col 3:12-14). Love is the first and chief fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit - The love wrought in you by the Holy Spirit. It was not mere natural affection, but love worked in their hearts by the agency of the Holy Spirit. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Your love in the Spirit - Your love wrought in you by the Spirit. Colossians 1:9”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Col 1:4; Rom 5:5, Rom 15:30; Gal 5:22; Ti2 1:7; Pe1 1:22 Colossians 1:9”
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Related study paths

Read Colossians 1 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification