Colossians 1 · Verse 4

Colossians 1:4

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
Colossians 1:4, King James Version

Colossians 1:4 in other translations

BSBbecause we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints—
WEBhaving heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have toward all the saints,
ASVhaving heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have toward all the saints,
YLThaving heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love that is to all the saints,
DARBYhaving heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and the love which ye have towards all the saints,
BBEAfter hearing of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have for all the saints,
WebsterSince we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

What does Colossians 1:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. Since we heard--literally, "Having heard." The language implies that he had only heard of, and not seen, them (Col 2:1). Compare Ro 1:8, where like language is used of a Church which he had not at the time visited. love ... to all--the absent, as well as those present [Bengel].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus. To wit, by Epaphras, who had informed Paul of the steadfastness of their faith and love, Col 1:7,8. This does not prove that Paul had never been at Colosse, or that he did not establish the church there, for he uses a similar expression respecting the church at Ephesus, Eph 1:15, of which he was undoubtedly the founder. The meaning is, that he had heard of their faith at that time, or of their perseverance in faith and love.

Which ye have to all the saints. In what way they had manifested this is not known. It would seem that Paul had been informed that this was a character of their piety, that they had remarkable love for all who bore the Christian name. Nothing could be more acceptable information respecting them to one who himself so ardently loved the church; and nothing could have furnished better evidence that they were influenced by the true spirit of religion. 1Jn 3:4.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 Since we heard of your faith - This is very similar to Eph 1:15. And it is certain that the apostle seems to have considered the Church at Ephesus, and that at Colassa to have been nearly in the same state, as the two epistles are very similar in their doctrine and phraseology.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 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…

Read the full comment on Colossians 1:1-8 →

Colossians 1:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἀκούσαντεςakousanteshaving heard ofG191
τὴνtēntheG3588
πίστινpistinfaithG4102
ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771
ἐνeninG1722
ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547
ἸησοῦIēsouJesusG2424
καὶkaiandG2532
τὴνtēntheG3588
ἀγάπηνagapēnloveG26
ἣνhēnthatG3739
εἰςeistowardG1519
πάνταςpantasallG3956
τοὺςtoustheG3588
ἁγίους,hagioussaints,G40

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 1:4

  • Ephesians 1:15

    Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:3

    We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:3

    Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

  • Hebrews 6:10

    For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

  • Philemon 1:5

    Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

  • 3 John 1:3-4

    For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

  • 1 John 4:16

    And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

  • Galatians 5:6

    For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:6

    But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

  • 1 John 3:14

    We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

  • 1 Peter 1:21-23

    Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

  • 2 Corinthians 7:7

    And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
we.
9; 2Co 7:7; Eph 1:15; 1Th 3:6; 3Jo 1:3,4
faith.
Ga 5:6; 1Th 1:3; 4:9,10; 2Th 1:3; Phm 1:5; 1Pe 1:21-23; 1Jo 3:14,23
1Jo 4:16
the love.
Heb 6:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Colossians 1:3

    We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

  • Colossians 1:4

    Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

  • Colossians 1:5

    For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

Read all of Colossians 1

Colossians 1:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Habiendo oído vuestra fe en Cristo Jesús, y el amor que tenéis á todos los santos,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
ayant entendu parler de votre foi dans le christ Jésus et de l’amour que vous avez pour tous les saints,
German
Elberfelder 1871
nachdem wir gehört haben von eurem Glauben in Christo Jesu und der Liebe, die ihr zu allen Heiligen habt,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
audientes fidem vestram in Christo Jesu, et dilectionem quam habetis in sanctos omnes