“who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.”
“who also declared to us your love”
Epaphras told Paul and his companions that the Colossians loved them.
“in the Spirit.”
This is the only place in Colossians that mentions the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the author of Colossians, but he mentions himself only once.
Romans 15:30 declares that believers can love by the love that the Spirit imparts, “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me.” It is the Holy Spirit who enabled them to love Paul. Love is a fruit of the Spirit (Ga 5:22).
Two other similar expressions about how New Testament believers loved shed light on how we are to love.
Tit 3:15, “All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”
2 Jn 1:1, “To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth.”
This is spiritual love enabled by the Spirit. New Testament believers loved through the Holy Spirit, loved in the faith, and loved in the truth. They loved Paul in the things of Christ.
The trinity is revealed in verses 6-8: “God” (v. 6), “Christ” (v. 7), “Spirit” (v. 8).
Principle:
The Holy Spirit can enable us to love those we would not otherwise love.
Application:
Are you facing a difficult person in your life? Do you depend upon the Holy Spirit to enable you to love that person?
