7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.
7 It's as vigorous in you now as when you learned it from our friend and close associate Epaphras. He is one reliable worker for Christ! I could always depend on him.
7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,
7 You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ's faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf.
8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
8 He's the one who told us how thoroughly love had been worked into your lives by the Spirit.
8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
8 He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.
(Read Colossians 1:1-8)
All true Christians are brethren one to another. Faithfulness runs through every character and relation of the Christian life. Faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces in the Christian life, and proper matter for prayer and thanksgiving. The more we fix our hopes on the reward in the other world, the more free shall we be in doing good with our earthly treasure. It was treasured up for them, no enemy could deprive them of it. The gospel is the word of truth, and we may safely venture our souls upon it. And all who hear the word of the gospel, ought to bring forth the fruit of the gospel, obey it, and have their principles and lives formed according to it. Worldly love arises, either from views of interest or from likeness in manners; carnal love, from the appetite for pleasure. To these, something corrupt, selfish, and base always cleaves. But Christian love arises from the Holy Spirit, and is full of holiness.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Colossians 1:7
Commentary on Colossians 1:1-8
(Read Colossians 1:1-8)
All true Christians are brethren one to another. Faithfulness runs through every character and relation of the Christian life. Faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces in the Christian life, and proper matter for prayer and thanksgiving. The more we fix our hopes on the reward in the other world, the more free shall we be in doing good with our earthly treasure. It was treasured up for them, no enemy could deprive them of it. The gospel is the word of truth, and we may safely venture our souls upon it. And all who hear the word of the gospel, ought to bring forth the fruit of the gospel, obey it, and have their principles and lives formed according to it. Worldly love arises, either from views of interest or from likeness in manners; carnal love, from the appetite for pleasure. To these, something corrupt, selfish, and base always cleaves. But Christian love arises from the Holy Spirit, and is full of holiness.