## because of this love ## "because the Holy Spirit has enabled you to love other believers" ## from the day we heard about you ## "from the day Epaphras told us about you" ## we heard ## refers to Paul and Timothy but not the Colossian believers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) ## we have not stopped praying ## "we have prayed often and sincerely to God". (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]]) ## asking that you will be filled with the knowledge of his will ## "we are asking God that He will fill you with the knowledge to do His will" ## in all wisdom and spiritual understanding ## "wisdom and understanding given by the Holy Spirit" ## that you may walk worthily of the Lord in all approval ## "that you live in a way that the Lord would approve. ## bear fruit ## This metaphor compares a fruitful plant to the good works of a believer. As plant grows and bears fruit, so also believers are to grow in knowing God and bear fruit by doing good deeds. (See:[[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])