In Col 1:1-8, Paul mentions in v.5, “the word of the truth of the gospel.” Today, we are going to study what Paul had to say about the truth of the gospel in this passage. The truth of the gospel:
Comes to you – Col 1:6 – “which is come unto you, as it is in all the world.” God intends for the gospel to go world-wide. Paul said of the gospel that it “was preached to every creature which is under heaven,” Col 1:23. Paul wrote in Rom 10:18, “their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.” Paul told Festus that King Agrippa certainly knew of the gospel, “for this thing was not done in a corner,” Acts 26:26. Paul’s prayer request was that “the word of the Lord may have free course,” 2 Thes 3:1. Put it out so it can come to others.
Is preached by faithful ministers – Col 1:7 – Epaphras, Paul’s “dear fellow servant” was the “faithful minister of Christ” that God used to preach the gospel to the folks in Colosse, who became the “saints and faithful brethren” to whom Paul wrote this epistle. They “learned” the truth of the gospel from Epaphras. He was the man God “sent,” Rom 10:14-15, to preach the gospel to them. We must always be willing to be sent by the Lord to preach the gospel to others who need to hear it.
Must be heard and made known – Col 1:6 – “since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.” It is critical that we preach the grace of God in truth. It is through hearing “the word of truth,” Eph 1:13, that souls trust in Jesus Christ and are saved when they believe. They are saved by the grace of God, Eph 2:8-9. Be among the great company of “those that published it,” Ps 68:11.
Brings forth fruit – Col 1:6 – “and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you.” Paul wrote that the truth of the gospel began bringing forth fruit in the lives of the saints in Colosse “since the day ye heard of it.” This is a testimony to the truth that if new converts will begin reading and believing “the word of the truth,” Col 1:5, right after they get saved, the word will begin immediately bringing forth fruit in their lives. The word “effectually worketh also in you that believe,” 1 Thes 2:13. Encourage new converts to read and believe the words of God.
The fruit that became evident in the saints and faithful brethren in Colosse was:
- Faith in Christ Jesus – Col 1:4 – see Rom 10:17. The more time you spend in your Bible, living by what God says, the stronger your faith grows.
- Love to all the saints – Col 1:4 – it is a fact that the more you love the words of God the more you will love the brethren. It’s not the knowledge of the word of God, but the love of the word of God, that strengthens your love for the saints. See 1 Cor 8:1, “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” Paul prayed in Phil 1:9, “that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.” Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments,” Jn 14:15. His new commandment is “that ye love one another,” Jn 15:17. The more you believe and follow the words of God, the stronger your love for others grows. The fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of the word are connected. Paul wrote that Epaphras “declared unto us your love in the Spirit,” Col 1:8. See Gal 5:22.
- Hope which is laid up for you in heaven – Col 1:5 – we have a hope that is in heaven, and we would know nothing about it if it weren’t for the words of God. Rom 8:24-25 says that we are saved by hope. Paul called this the “hope of eternal life,” Titus 1:2. Heb 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The more you study and believe the words of God, the stronger your hope which is laid up for you in heaven becomes.