The Apostolic Message

One great thought is usually prominent with St. Paul and is never far away from his interests — the nature and extension of the Gospel. It comes out again and again quite unexpectedly, and here it arises naturally out of the salutation.

I. The Word Described

It is interesting to notice that the message is spoken of as “the word of the truth of the Gospel.” Christianity stands for reality as the religion of truth which comes from above. It is also a “Gospel,” a message of good news. This “good news” is thus at once real and genuine and, as such, is incapable of alteration (Gal. 2:5-14).

II. The Word Preached

Epaphras was the Evangelist at Colosse (1:7; 4:12; Philem. 23). He had proclaimed the good news to these people and then had conveyed to the Apostle Paul the tidings of what he had done.

III. The Word Heard

This Gospel had been heard and heeded, because the Colossian Christians had not only listened to it (v. 5), but had received it (vs. 7, 9). The preaching of the Gospel calls for attention by those to whom it is sent, and whenever it is thoughtfully and earnestly listened to, it will produce its effects on mind, heart, and life.

IV. The Word Received

This Gospel had not only been heard, but had actually been assimilated (v. 6), and those to whom Epaphras proclaimed the truth welcomed what they had heard and made it part of their personal experience. They realised that it was “the grace of God in truth.” Again, there¬ fore, the idea of “truth” is made prominent, because the essence of good news is that which is true, while the value attaching to “grace” is that it must be real. Not only had the Gospel been assimilated in Colosse, but it had actually gone much further, so that the Apostle could speak of it having reached “all the world” (v. 6). This statement in view of the early date is very significant and shows the universality of the Gospel (Rom. 1:8; 1 Thess. 1 :8) as the power of God unto salvation to all who believe (Rom. 1:16).

V. The Word Proved

The result of their learning from Epaphras was the reception and reproduction of the Gospel in their lives, and the description of what took place is particularly note¬ worthy as indicating what should always be the outcome of the hearing, learning, and reception of “the word of the truth of the Gospel.” The inward effect was “fruit” (v. 6). This is the inevitable result of the Gospel as a Divine and living seed (Mark 4:28). This fruit was at once continuous and increasing, showing both inward and outward power (Eph. 2:21; 4:15). It is one of the essential features and necessary proofs of the Gospel that the results should be constant and progressive. Another point of importance is that this outcome marked the whole of their Christian life, “since the first day” they “heard and knew the grace of God in truth” (v. 6). It does not take long for the Gospel to work, for the moment it is received into the heart it begins to bear fruit. The use of the word “knew” is of special importance, because it is a mark of these Epistles of the captivity in Rome, indicat-The Apostolic Message, 1:5-8 in g a full and mature knowledge (Eph. 1 :1 7, 18; 4:13). It always includes a personal experience as well as an intellectual conception, and is part of that knowledge of God which is life eternal (John 17:3). The reality of this life at Colosse is further shown in the description of their “love in the Spirit.” They had evidently received and were realising the grace of God in such a way as to reproduce it in a love which came from the Holy Spirit. It is worth while noticing in these verses a significant and suggestive implication of what is now known as the doctrine of the Trinity (vs. 6-8). It is in such ways that the Three Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — are most definitely and effectually shown to be Divine, be¬ cause of their spiritual influence in the life of believers.

As these points are considered, they illustrate very clearly a well-known passage of the Apostle, that the Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Rom. 1:16).

1. The Gospel as God’s Power. This word “power,” which in the original is “dynamic,” shows what Christianity was intended to be in heart and life, and the reality of it is abundantly evident in the way in which these Colossian Christians experienced “the grace of God in truth.” This was the “dynamic” in their lives.

2. The Gospel as God’s Power unto Salvation. Salvation is one of the great words of the New Testament, covering past, present, and future, and the results of hearing the Gospel are clearly seen in this passage to prove the present and continuous salvation of these believers, as they allowed the grace of God to work in their lives.

3. The Gospel as God’s Power unto Salvation for All. The universality of the Gospel is evident here, as else¬ where. It had come to others besides those in Colosse (v. 5, 6) and was bearing fruit “in all the world.” There is, perhaps, nothing more impressive than the way in which the Gospel adapts itself to the varied races, capacities, and circumstances of human life all over the world. This is one of the strongest evidences that it comes from God. Other religions are only partial and local and make no universal appeal. Christianity, because it comes from God, is equally suitable to all races of mankind.

4. The Gospel as God’s Power unto Salvation for All through Believing. The emphasis placed here on the way in which these people in Colosse first heard, then learnt, then believed, and then came to know “the word of the truth of the Gospel” shows that the message of Christ is intended to be received by simple trust, and when it is thus accepted, it soon vindicates itself in various ways in heart and life.

5. The Gospel as God’s Power unto Salvation Is to Be Proclaimed Everywhere. This, too, is implied and suggested all through this passage. When the Gospel is received, it is to be passed on, for it cannot be kept only in the heart. When Epaphras received it from St. Paul, he quickly communicated it to others as “a faithful minister of Christ,” and then the Gospel bore fruit in the Colossians, whereby others in turn were made acquainted with it. This is the supreme proof of the reality of our life, the proclamation of the Gospel to others. Gratitude impels and obedience compels.