Hope that Brings Forth Fruit Colossians 1:6

Paul the apostle continued to commend the church members in Colosse for their faith, love and hope as he opened his letter which was directed to them. His purpose for writing was to address false teachings which were infiltrating the church. The Gnostics and the Judaizers and their beliefs were having their affect among them, and before he addressed these false doctrines specifically, Paul commended the church in their faith, hope and love. In chapter one and verse six, Paul continues his words concerning the “hope which is laid up for you in heaven” which they heard “before in the word of the truth of the gospel;” We read:

Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and brings forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

The verse begins, “Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world;” As a reference to the effect of the gospel and the hope which it contains, Paul gives the church members of Colosse an example of the gospel's widespread influence. He said it was “come unto you” which means it came to the church members, however it also “is in all the world” which means “the inhabitants of the earth, men, or the human family”. Paul knew the “hope of the gospel” was spread not only in the church of Colosse, but also throughout the entire world.

The verse goes on to say, “and brings forth fruit, as it does also in you, Wherever the “gospel of Jesus Christ” goes throughout the world, it “brings forth fruit” which is the Greek phrase “esti karpophoreō” and means “to bear fruit or deeds within itself”. No matter where the gospel goes, it bears the fruit of “faith, hope and love”, and those who have heard and received it, know the “fruit” of its influence.

Finally the verse says, “... since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:” Paul shared the timing of the effect of the gospel - “since the day you heard of it” or “immediately upon hearing” which means “to attend to, consider what is or has been said, to understand, perceive the sense of what is said”. Not only did these church members of Colosse hear the gospel, but they also “knew” or “became thoroughly acquainted with, knew thoroughly, knew accurately, knew well and recognized” “the grace” or “unmerited favor” “of God in truth” which means “what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth”. When the gospel of Jesus Christ came to them, as it did in the whole world, hope and fruit of that hope enter wherever it was preached.

Have we considered the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul knew without hesitation the effects of the gospel within the church of Colosse. He also knew the affect of the gospel in places throughout the world. The “gospel” or “good news” of Jesus Christ has its affect upon people individually and also upon societies and cultures in which it touches. The key for us as well as people throughout the world is whether we and they will “hear” the gospel and “know” of “the grace of God in truth”. We may not be able to answer for the entire world, however, we can answer for ourselves, and as we do, let us allow the Lord to help us to receive the full fruit of the gospel in every aspect of our lives.

Next time Paul will write about Epaphrus who was the church's pastor, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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