Col 1:8 | KingComments | STEP | . Let us see once again the hallmarks of the gospel. First, you see that it has to do with the hope, which is the future. The second characteristic is that this message of hope is not limited to the Jewish people. The gospel reached the Colossians who were in the world, and now it has reached even you. It came to them. It is as if a person entered from somewhere. This is indeed so, because the gospel represents Christ. The third characteristic is that it brings forth fruit everywhere in the world wherever believers are. What the gospel caused in Colossae is to be seen in every believer throughout the world. The gospel has brought you into contact with God. Consequently it also produces fruit in you for God. The gospel is first the seed that, the moment you heard it and believed it, conceived in you the eternal life. So you became the fruit of the gospel for God. Thereafter the gospel has become a seed that produces fruit in your life. This fruit also is for God. First you must become a fruit in order that you may bring forth fruit. Wherever the gospel is accepted you see growth and fruit and not stagnation or decline. That is the big difference between Christendom and other religions, and especially the Jewish system. All religions demand fruit from a man without a change taking place in his inner life. Christendom on the other hand brings first an inner change through conversion and new life, and then fruit and growth are visible. The gospel that is preached is complete in itself. We cannot make it easier, or richer or simpler. It cannot be enriched or improved by any means. What can be bigger and better is the fruit bearing and the growth. The preaching of the gospel is God’s part and fruit bearing and growth are your part. One can hinder fruit bearing and growth by allowing all kinds of things in his life that the Lord does not want. This happens when you forget the “grace of God” that you have known “in truth”. Can you still remember how you went to the cross with your sins? There you acknowledged that you could be saved only by the grace of God. You acknowledged that God’s truth applies to you, too – as He says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” ( ). You also acknowledged His salvation in Christ which He offered to you in His mercy. You are converted, have eternal life, and are in a position to bear fruit and grow. Marvel continuously about the grace of God that you have sincerely understood. You had no right to it. It is a gift from heaven. Then you will see quickly when things come into your life that slow down or even prevent the process of fruit bearing and growth. . There were people among the Colossians who in order to gain influence, taught things that were contrary to the teachings of Epaphras. If their evil intentions would succeed, then that would be the end of fruit bearing and growth in the Colossians. Epaphras brought a pure gospel to them. He was the means of their conversion. Without any jealousy Paul mentions the service that Epaphras had done there. Paul underscores the correctness of what Epaphras taught. He speaks about the gospel as a doctrine. It is not a dogma but a doctrine which means life. Not only by a new birth, but in everything this life involves afterward. You can read a beautiful description of this doctrine in Titus 2 ( ). Besides the teaching of Epaphras, Paul also emphasizes his work together with him. He calls him “our beloved fellow bond-servant”. Paul places Epaphras on a par with himself and Timothy, and with the word ‘beloved’ he gives expression to his special relationship with Epaphras. When servants of God so speak of one another, and so relate to each other, then there is no room for any base motives in rivalry. Paul praises the faithfulness of Epaphras in his service to Christ. Faithfulness is the most important feature of any service that is done for the Lord ( ). The Lord does not reward a gift or success but faithfulness ( ). This should be a great encouragement for you and me to live entirely for Him and not be envious of what others do. . Epaphras’ faithful service to Christ is expressed in his concern for the Colossians. His service did not stop with his preaching of the gospel. He also did the follow up. When he saw the approaching danger that they would deviate from Christ, he rushed to Paul and Timothy. He not only spoke of the error which threatened to find entry, but he also reported about the deep and sincere Christian love of the Colossians, the source of which was the Spirit. This at the same time was proof that correction was not yet too late. The Spirit was still in action in their lives. . After this introduction full of gratitude Paul shares with them that from the moment he heard of their conversion he was constantly praying for them. Here you see the best way to keep your spiritual interests alive toward certain particular believers. Paul also shares with them the content of his prayers for them. From this you can learn what and how you can pray for others. Our prayers and our supplications have to do with our perspective on God’s interests in His children. If we are aware how deeply God is interested in all His own, would we not, then, pray more for their problems and would think less of our problems? We are often more like the Abraham who asked: “O Lord GOD, what will You give me?” ( ) than like the Abraham who worshiped Him and prayed for others ( ). Paul is more like the latter. The first thing he asks is that they “may be filled with the knowledge of His will”. The apostle is not satisfied with anything less. The will of God must fill their whole thoughts and their entire view. Then there is no place for the own will or for the approaching errors. However, doing the will of God is not a matter of blind obedience. That is why the apostle next prays for “all spiritual wisdom and understanding”. This will enable you to do the will of God in your life in the right way and with spiritual understanding. Now read Colossians 1:6-9 again. Reflection: What are the truths of faith that are connected with the gospel?

‏ Colossians 1:8

The Truth of the Gospel

Col 1:6. Let us see once again the hallmarks of the gospel. First, you see that it has to do with the hope, which is the future. The second characteristic is that this message of hope is not limited to the Jewish people. The gospel reached the Colossians who were in the world, and now it has reached even you. It came to them. It is as if a person entered from somewhere. This is indeed so, because the gospel represents Christ.

The third characteristic is that it brings forth fruit everywhere in the world wherever believers are. What the gospel caused in Colossae is to be seen in every believer throughout the world. The gospel has brought you into contact with God. Consequently it also produces fruit in you for God. The gospel is first the seed that, the moment you heard it and believed it, conceived in you the eternal life. So you became the fruit of the gospel for God. Thereafter the gospel has become a seed that produces fruit in your life. This fruit also is for God.

First you must become a fruit in order that you may bring forth fruit. Wherever the gospel is accepted you see growth and fruit and not stagnation or decline. That is the big difference between Christendom and other religions, and especially the Jewish system. All religions demand fruit from a man without a change taking place in his inner life. Christendom on the other hand brings first an inner change through conversion and new life, and then fruit and growth are visible.

The gospel that is preached is complete in itself. We cannot make it easier, or richer or simpler. It cannot be enriched or improved by any means. What can be bigger and better is the fruit bearing and the growth. The preaching of the gospel is God’s part and fruit bearing and growth are your part. One can hinder fruit bearing and growth by allowing all kinds of things in his life that the Lord does not want.

This happens when you forget the “grace of God” that you have known “in truth”. Can you still remember how you went to the cross with your sins? There you acknowledged that you could be saved only by the grace of God. You acknowledged that God’s truth applies to you, too – as He says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). You also acknowledged His salvation in Christ which He offered to you in His mercy. You are converted, have eternal life, and are in a position to bear fruit and grow.

Marvel continuously about the grace of God that you have sincerely understood. You had no right to it. It is a gift from heaven. Then you will see quickly when things come into your life that slow down or even prevent the process of fruit bearing and growth.

Col 1:7. There were people among the Colossians who in order to gain influence, taught things that were contrary to the teachings of Epaphras. If their evil intentions would succeed, then that would be the end of fruit bearing and growth in the Colossians. Epaphras brought a pure gospel to them. He was the means of their conversion.

Without any jealousy Paul mentions the service that Epaphras had done there. Paul underscores the correctness of what Epaphras taught. He speaks about the gospel as a doctrine. It is not a dogma but a doctrine which means life. Not only by a new birth, but in everything this life involves afterward. You can read a beautiful description of this doctrine in Titus 2 (Tit 2:10-15).

Besides the teaching of Epaphras, Paul also emphasizes his work together with him. He calls him “our beloved fellow bond-servant”. Paul places Epaphras on a par with himself and Timothy, and with the word ‘beloved’ he gives expression to his special relationship with Epaphras. When servants of God so speak of one another, and so relate to each other, then there is no room for any base motives in rivalry.

Paul praises the faithfulness of Epaphras in his service to Christ. Faithfulness is the most important feature of any service that is done for the Lord (1Cor 4:2). The Lord does not reward a gift or success but faithfulness (Mt 25:20-23). This should be a great encouragement for you and me to live entirely for Him and not be envious of what others do.

Col 1:8. Epaphras’ faithful service to Christ is expressed in his concern for the Colossians. His service did not stop with his preaching of the gospel. He also did the follow up. When he saw the approaching danger that they would deviate from Christ, he rushed to Paul and Timothy. He not only spoke of the error which threatened to find entry, but he also reported about the deep and sincere Christian love of the Colossians, the source of which was the Spirit. This at the same time was proof that correction was not yet too late. The Spirit was still in action in their lives.

Col 1:9. After this introduction full of gratitude Paul shares with them that from the moment he heard of their conversion he was constantly praying for them. Here you see the best way to keep your spiritual interests alive toward certain particular believers. Paul also shares with them the content of his prayers for them. From this you can learn what and how you can pray for others.

Our prayers and our supplications have to do with our perspective on God’s interests in His children. If we are aware how deeply God is interested in all His own, would we not, then, pray more for their problems and would think less of our problems? We are often more like the Abraham who asked: “O Lord GOD, what will You give me?” (Gen 15:2) than like the Abraham who worshiped Him and prayed for others (Gen 18:23-33). Paul is more like the latter.

The first thing he asks is that they “may be filled with the knowledge of His will”. The apostle is not satisfied with anything less. The will of God must fill their whole thoughts and their entire view. Then there is no place for the own will or for the approaching errors.

However, doing the will of God is not a matter of blind obedience. That is why the apostle next prays for “all spiritual wisdom and understanding”. This will enable you to do the will of God in your life in the right way and with spiritual understanding.

Now read Colossians 1:6-9 again.

Reflection: What are the truths of faith that are connected with the gospel?