Colossians 1:4 kjv
Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
Colossians 1:4 nkjv
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;
Colossians 1:4 niv
because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God's people?
Colossians 1:4 esv
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
Colossians 1:4 nlt
For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God's people,
Colossians 1 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 1:15 | For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people... | Paul's thanksgiving based on hearing their faith and love. |
| Philem 1:4-5 | I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people. | Paul's characteristic prayer based on their faith and love. |
| 1 Thess 1:2-3 | We always thank God for all of you, remembering you in our prayers... your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. | Thanksgiving for faith, love, and hope, foundational Christian virtues. |
| 2 Thess 1:3 | We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love... is increasing. | Thanksgiving for increasing faith and love. |
| Gal 5:6 | For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. | The inseparability of faith and love in Christian life. |
| 1 Cor 13:13 | And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. | Paul's affirmation of faith and love as enduring virtues. |
| John 13:34-35 | “A new command I give you: Love one another... By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” | Christ's command for believers to love each other as a mark of discipleship. |
| Rom 5:1 | Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ... | Faith as the means of justification and peace with God. |
| Rom 12:9-10 | Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. | Exhortation to genuine, active love within the community. |
| Eph 2:8 | For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God... | Salvation is by grace through faith. |
| Phil 3:9 | and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ... | Righteousness is attained through faith in Christ alone. |
| Gal 2:16 | know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. | Justification by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works. |
| 1 Pet 1:22 | Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere fraternal love, love one another deeply, from the heart. | The result of obedience to truth is sincere brotherly love. |
| 1 John 3:11 | For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. | The foundational command to love within the Christian faith. |
| 1 John 4:7 | Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. | Love as evidence of being born of God. |
| Heb 10:24-25 | And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... | Encouragement to provoke one another to love and good deeds. |
| Matt 22:37-39 | “‘Love the Lord your God...’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” | Jesus summarizes the Law with love for God and neighbor. |
| 1 Cor 1:2 | To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people... | Paul identifies all believers as "saints." |
| Eph 1:1 | Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus... | "Saints" as the universal term for believers. |
| 2 Cor 13:14 | May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. | Grace, love, and fellowship are foundational elements of the Christian life. |
Colossians 1 verses
Colossians 1 4 Meaning
Colossians 1:4 conveys Paul's thanksgiving to God for the believers in Colossae. The verse highlights two fundamental and verifiable evidences of their authentic Christian life: their consistent faith (trust and allegiance) in Jesus Christ and their demonstrated, universal love for all fellow believers (saints). This hearing, likely from Epaphras (Col 1:7-8), provides the impetus for Paul's continuous prayer and appreciation. It establishes the spiritual health of the Colossian church amidst potential doctrinal threats.
Colossians 1 4 Context
Colossians 1:4 is part of the opening thanksgiving prayer (Col 1:3-8) in Paul's letter to the church at Colossae. After a standard greeting, Paul immediately transitions into expressing gratitude for the believers there, setting a positive tone. This verse grounds his thanksgiving in reports he has received regarding their spiritual vitality, specifically their faith in Christ and their love for other believers. This introduction serves to affirm the Colossians' genuine standing in the gospel, a crucial foundation before Paul addresses the various errors and heresies emerging within the church in subsequent chapters (Col 2). It indirectly provides a standard against which the false teachings – which might diminish Christ or promote disunity – can be contrasted. The fact that Paul praises their faith and love acknowledges their spiritual maturity, likely due to the faithful teaching of Epaphras (Col 1:7).
Colossians 1 4 Word analysis
- since we heard (ἀκούσαντες - akousantes): A participle indicating the reason for Paul's thanksgiving. It suggests reliable, ongoing reports, most likely from Epaphras, who ministered to the Colossians (Col 1:7-8). This is a common apostolic practice for prayer.
- your faith (τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν - tēn pistin hymōn): "Faith" (pistis) signifies not just mental assent but deep, personal trust, allegiance, and loyalty. It is a saving faith, demonstrating active reliance and surrender to Jesus Christ. "Your" highlights it as a specific quality of the Colossian believers.
- in Christ Jesus (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ - en Christō Iēsou): The Greek preposition "en" (en) denotes the sphere or object of their faith. Their faith is firmly rooted in, centered upon, and identified with the Person of Christ Jesus. He is the ultimate focus, content, and goal of their faith, emphasizing His centrality and sufficiency. This subtly counters any teaching that would add to or detract from Christ's supremacy.
- and of your love (καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην τὴν εἰς): "Love" (agapē) here refers to divine, unconditional love. It is not a mere emotion but an active principle, characteristic of God Himself, demonstrated by sacrificial action. It is supernatural and distinct from human affection. Though "your" isn't explicitly repeated in Greek with agape, the connection to "your faith" implies their possession of this love.
- for all the saints (εἰς πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους - eis pantas tous hagious): "For" (eis) denotes direction, indicating their love is directed toward and extends to. "All" (pantas) stresses universality, meaning their love is not restricted to a select few but encompasses the entire body of believers. "Saints" (hagious literally means "holy ones" or "set apart ones") is Paul's common designation for all true believers in Christ, universally considered set apart by God and belonging to Him, not just a select or superior class of Christians.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus": This phrase highlights the foundation of their spiritual life and Paul's praise. Their faith is not generic but specifically fixed upon Jesus Christ, reinforcing His unique Lordship and salvific work, a crucial emphasis against nascent heresies seeking to diminish Christ's supremacy or add other requirements for salvation or spiritual progress.
- "and of your love for all the saints": This phrase denotes the tangible outward expression of their inward faith. Genuine faith in Christ inevitably produces authentic love for His followers. The inclusivity ("all") counters any elitism or division, and "saints" reminds them that every believer is set apart by God, warranting their affection and care. It emphasizes the communal and relational aspect of the Christian walk.
- The juxtaposition of "faith in Christ Jesus" and "love for all the saints": This pair forms the two primary pillars of a vibrant Christian life: vertical relationship with God (faith) and horizontal relationship with fellow believers (love). Paul consistently presents these as inseparable fruits of the Spirit and core elements of Christian maturity. One cannot genuinely claim faith in Christ without demonstrating love for those whom Christ has redeemed.
Colossians 1 4 Bonus section
- The structure of "faith in Christ Jesus" and "love for all the saints" echoes other Pauline opening prayers, showcasing his consistent view of primary Christian virtues. It's a hallmark of spiritually mature communities for him.
- This verse provides an early, implied critique of the "Colossian heresy." By praising their unadulterated "faith in Christ Jesus," Paul reinforces the exclusivity and sufficiency of Christ against any addition of works, special knowledge, or asceticism. Their "love for all the saints" further combats sectarianism or division, advocating for unity over exclusive groups.
- The word "heard" (ἀκούσαντες - akousantes) in the context of Epaphras (Col 1:7) suggests a personal and trustworthy report, which gave Paul confidence in the Colossians' spiritual state despite his physical absence.
Colossians 1 4 Commentary
Colossians 1:4 provides foundational insights into genuine Christian life and apostolic thanksgiving. Paul, not having personally founded the Colossian church, celebrates the spiritual integrity reported to him, particularly highlighting their unwavering faith in Christ Jesus and their expansive love for all believers. This two-fold commendation serves several crucial functions. Firstly, it affirms that the Colossians have truly grasped the core of the gospel: trust in Christ alone for salvation and spiritual growth. This vertical orientation, faith in the unique Son of God, combats any burgeoning Gnostic or legalistic ideas that might detract from Christ's all-sufficiency. Secondly, their love for "all the saints" demonstrates the authentic outworking of that faith in community. This horizontal expression of agape transcends social, ethnic, or spiritual distinctions, standing against potential schisms or elitism arising from false teachings about "special knowledge" or practices. This verse sets the stage for Paul's later, deeper theological exposition of Christ's supremacy (Col 1:15-20) and a counter-argument against syncretistic philosophies by grounding his arguments in their known and attested faithfulness. Practically, it reminds believers that true faith in Christ always results in discernible love for the family of God, forming the enduring essence of Christian walk.