What is the meaning of Colossians 1:6? That has come to you “that has come to you.” (Colossians 1:6a) • The gospel is not a distant idea; it is a message that arrived personally in Colossae, proving God’s initiative to reach real people in real places (Acts 16:9-10). • Its arrival fulfills the promise that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17) and shows God’s faithfulness in sending heralds of good news (Romans 10:14-15). • Believers can rejoice that the same gospel still “comes” today—crossing cultures, borders, and generations (Isaiah 55:11). All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit “Just as in all the world, this gospel is bearing fruit…” (Colossians 1:6b) • From Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), the message of Christ produces visible change—conversions, holiness, love, and good works (John 15:8). • Jesus foretold this global reach: “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations” (Matthew 24:14). • The vision of Revelation 7:9—every nation, tribe, people, and language worshiping the Lamb—confirms that God’s plan is advancing just as Paul observed. And growing “…and growing…” (Colossians 1:6c) • Fruitfulness leads naturally to multiplication; the gospel not only changes lives but also spreads through those changed lives (2 Timothy 2:2). • Early church snapshots show this pattern: “the Lord added to their number daily” (Acts 2:47); “the word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly” (Acts 6:7). • We can pray with Paul, “that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored” (2 Thessalonians 3:1), confident that growth is the gospel’s built-in dynamic. Just as it has been doing among you “…just as it has been doing among you…” (Colossians 1:6d) • What God does globally, He also does locally. The Colossians themselves were living proof of the gospel’s power (1 Thessalonians 2:13). • Their faith, love, and hope (Colossians 1:4-5) showed that Christ was at work within them—evidence of the “good work” God promises to complete (Philippians 1:6). Since the day you heard it “…since the day you heard it…” (Colossians 1:6e) • Transformation began the moment they first heard the message—highlighting the importance of proclamation (Romans 10:14). • The Holy Spirit often moves at the moment of hearing, as in Cornelius’s house when “the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message” (Acts 10:44). • Every believer can look back to a definite point when the gospel first broke in and initiated new life (Ephesians 1:13). And truly understood the grace of God “…and truly understood the grace of God.” (Colossians 1:6f) • Hearing alone is not enough; genuine, saving faith grasps God’s unmerited favor in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). • This understanding is heart-level, produced by the Spirit who “shines in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory” (2 Corinthians 4:6). • Grace fuels ongoing growth: “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation…training us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives” (Titus 2:11-12). summary Colossians 1:6 presents a sweeping picture: the gospel that personally reached the Colossians is the same message flourishing worldwide, continually bearing fruit and expanding. From the first moment of hearing to a deep grasp of God’s grace, the gospel works powerfully—individually and universally—demonstrating that God’s plan to redeem people through Christ is unstoppable, effective, and overflowing with life. |
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