March through Colossians - 1:5b-8

Notice what Paul says about the gospel in these verses:

-It was how the Colossians first heard about the hope that is laid up for them in heaven.
-It is the word of the truth.
-It has come to them.
-It is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world.
-It is bearing fruit and growing among the Colossians (since the day they heard and understood it).
-It is something that is heard and understood by people.
-It involved understanding the grace of God in truth (notice: 2nd time Paul mentions truth, probably in light of the false teaching he addresses later).
-It is something they learned from a specific individual (Epaphras [same guy as Epaphroditus in Phil. 2:25, 4:18], who is a servant of Christ).

O’Brien says, “Fruit-bearing and increasing were marks of the gospel (Col 1:6). Paul then prays [next in Colossians] that fruit-bearing and increasing may be characteristics of the Colossians too – the fruit of good works and an increase in the knowledge of God (v 10) – that the dynamic of the gospel may characterize the lives of the Colossian believers themselves.” (italics mine)

Be encouraged that this is the same gospel that you have believed, and that God intends for it to bear fruit and grow today in you and around you.

1:9-14 tomorrow.