Colossians 1:5-6 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; The gospel is not like those plants which exhaust themselves in bearing fruit, and wither away. The external growth keeps pace with the reproductive energy. While "beareth fruit" describes the inner working, "increasing" gives the outward extension of the gospel. The words "and increasing" are not found in the received text, but the authority in their favour is overwhelming. (Bishop Lightfoot.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; |
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