A note from our Pastor:

“Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.”

Colossians 1:8

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

Our study verse this week is brief but carries importance for two reasons. First, it speaks to the relationship believers should have with one another. Second, it closes the salutation of the Apostle Paul to his readers. In the next verse, the Apostle will move into his prayer for the Colossian congregation.

In this verse, the Apostle continues to provide a report of his communication with Epaphras. Epaphras has been the minister to the congregations in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. Now he has traveled to Rome. During his time in Rome, he is visiting with at least the Apostle and Timothy. This letter, to some degree, is the Apostle responding to the report provided by Epaphras.

The subject of this verse is Epaphras’s statements regarding the love demonstrated in Colossae. Some have read this verse with a narrow interpretation. In this view, Epaphras was telling the Apostle of the congregation’s love for him, though he had never visited Colossae. While this was likely true, it is an unnecessary limitation on the meaning of this verse.

Rather, as Epaphras spoke to the Apostle and Timothy he reported on the love demonstrated in general by the saints. He reported how they loved God and how they loved their neighbor. What makes this report especially wonderful is the last phrase.

The love that was being demonstrated in Colossae was “in the Spirit.” In other words, it was a spiritual love founded in the truth of Jesus Christ. The love being shown between members of this congregation was not driven by any carnal desire for gain. Instead, it was driven by a desire to serve one another and to serve God.

It was love of this fashion that prompted the Apostle to note it in his letter. It is this love that provides an example to saints in every generation.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah