Recombinantly expressed variant antibodies that have enhanced affinity for TL1A and enhanced potency relative to the parent antibody from which they were derived are provided. The antibodies inhibit the interaction between TL1A and the death receptor 3 (DR3). The antibodies, or a composition thereof, may be used to treat one or more of asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, a gastrointestinal disease associated with cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, colitis, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, eosinophilic esophagitis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, scleroderma, arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.