THE IMPACT OF THE GOSPEL
COLOSSIANS 1:3-8
The gospel has been attacked, diluted, and twisted over the centuries, but it remains “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). Early in the ministry of Paul he stood for the truth of the gospel in Acts 15 when false teachers attempted to add law to grace. Now, years later another error, that of Gnosticism, seeks to integrate and water down the truth of salvation and sanctification in Christ alone. The error arises in Colossae and begins to filter into the church. Paul writes this letter to point the saints unto the truth of Christ’s sufficiency to save and sanctify the believer.
Verse 3 begins the apostle’s prayer with an extended note of thanksgiving for them and their relationship with the Lord through the life- changing power of the gospel. Paul refers to praying always for them, or either the “always” goes with the thanksgiving. The opening gratefulness to the Lord continues to verse 8. Then, in verse nine, Paul begins an intercession for the Colossians. Verses 3-8 not only reveal the reasons for Paul thanking God, but also show important elements of the gospel and its impact upon men. These truths stand in opposition to the error of Gnosticism and Jewish legalism. One major doctrinal truth presented in verse 3-8 is the Trinity. In verse 3 the Father and the Son are mentioned, and then, in verse 8, Paul presents the Holy Spirit.
Within this passage the apostle sets forth three statements regarding the gospel.
I. THE CHARACTERISTICS FROM THE GOSPEL v. 3-5; 8
In verse 3 the apostle gives thanks for certain characteristics in the Colossians’ lives which evidence a profound impact by the gospel.
A. Faith v. 4
“…Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus…” Paul notes that we (Timothy and himself) had heard of their faith. This statement indicates that the apostle had never met these believers, but had heard of them. The phrase “faith in Christ Jesus” describes that their faith rested in the sphere of Christ with the use of the preposition “in.” Jesus saw faith in those who brought the paralytic to Him in Mark 4. Here Paul notes that he heard of their faith in Christ. The testimony of how these brethren heard the gospel and responded with faith in Christ reached the ears of the apostle. No doubt Epaphras, mentioned as being with Paul in Rome, told of their faith in the Lord.
B. Love v. 4 “…and the love which you have for all the saints.”
The word for “love” is “agape,” that love God has for all men. This love sacrifices for others in meeting their needs. Paul not only heard about a testimony of faith, but a practical expression of faith, and that was love. Galatians 5:6 declares, “Neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”
In verse 8 again the apostle notes this love as a byproduct of the work of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22 affirms that the fruit of the Spirit is love. The sequence seems important – namely, that faith in the Lord will evidence itself in love for the brethren. James 2 uses love for the brethren as a test of genuine faith (James 2:14-17). John also presents love for the brethren as an evidence of believing in the truth (1 John 3:18-19). The fact that love comes from the work of the Holy Spirit indicates that these believers continued to trust in the Lord on a daily basis. Trust in the Spirit of God releases the fruit of the Spirit. Love emanates from the life of a dependent saint.
C. Hope v. 5 “…because of the hope laid up for you in Heaven….”
The mention of hope relates to the faith and love as a motivation. The word “because” at the beginning of the sentence is the Greek word “dia” which speaks of the “channel of an act, through, or because of.” The channel of faith and love is hope. The motivation to trust the Lord and love the brethren relates to hope. The word “hope” is not the “wish I might win a million dollars.” Instead the word means “confident expectation.” Paul uses it in Romans 8:24-25 of a future expectation for the redemption of our body. “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is not seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, then with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”
The term “hope” used in this passage is used not as a verb, but as a noun. This is a “hope laid up for you in Heaven.” Most agree that the “hope” refers to our inheritance and the future rewards of believers. Saints received the down payment in the person of the Holy Spirit as God’s pledge of a future inheritance (Eph. 1:13-14). The motivation of future rewards enters into our willingness to trust the Lord in a given moment and choose to love an unloving person as well. This motive is not the primary one, as the glory of God should be our main compulsion. Paul speaks of the “hope of the glory of God” in 1:27. However, Alexander Maclaren notes about this “hope,” in verse 5, “The hope laid up in Heaven is not the deepest reason or motive for faith and love, but both are more vivid when it is strong. It is not the light at which their lights are lit, but it is the odorous oil which feeds their flame.”
II. THE CAPACITY OF THE GOSPEL v. 5b-6
At the end of verse 5 Paul identifies the source of the hope, “…of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel….” Truth and the gospel are one and the same. We need at this point to review the truth and the task of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 reveal the foundational truths which are Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and raised on the third day. The basic truths involve the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. From those three essentials come all of the major doctrines which impact our lives. This was the task of the gospel, to forgive our sins, to free us from sin, to give us life, to change our identity, to reconcile us to our Creator, and to restore God’s purpose in creating us – His glory. Paul presents two aspects of the task or capacity of the gospel.
A. The Productivity of the Gospel v. 6 “…it is constantly bearing fruit….”
The apostle states this in a universal since, “…in all the world…,” as well as applying it to the individual believer “…even as it has been doing in you also….” The gospel is the power or the capacity of God for salvation to those who believe. The gospel as God’s body of truth bears fruit as it goes forth into the ears of hearers. As one shares the gospel through testimony, Scripture, or tracts he plants, waters, or reaps. The gospel brings forth the fruit of individual souls coming to faith in Christ.
The gospel also bears fruit in the lives of individual saints. The gospel is not just for the unsaved man, but also for the Christian. We need to understand that the gospel includes the work of the cross in dealing with our old life, the power of sin, and victory over the flesh. We need to understand that we possess the risen life of Christ in the person of the Holy Spirit as the source of the Christian life. As we appropriate the “believer’s gospel” fruit comes forth from our lives (Gal. 5:22-23).
B. The Progression of the Gospel v. 6 “…it is constantly… increasing.”
The word “increasing” is not found in the KJV, but is in the best manuscripts. This word again applies to both the world and the individual. The gospel continues its increase throughout the world. Just as Epaphras heard the gospel, probably in Ephesus, and came to Colossae sharing with others, so this happens all over the world.
The gospel brings increase in the individual believer as well. Robertson notes about the gospel in this passage that it produces “inward growth and outward expression.” We must continue to hear the gospel, not just our forgiveness, but more importantly how the good news impacts our daily living. When one responds on the basis of faith an increase takes place in the soul as one is conformed to the image of Christ.
III. THE CONDITION FOR THE GOSPEL v. 3-4; 7
In verse 3 and 7 Paul presents two conditions for the gospel to impact an individual.
A. Realization v. 7
In verse 7 Paul declares that the Colossians learned the gospel from Epaphras. God sent a messenger with gospel to these people and he proclaimed the truth to them. As God the Holy Spirit used the word to convict them of their lost condition and show them the truth of salvation through Christ, then their spiritual eyes were open. One must have truth come from the word of God. Romans 10:17 declares that faith cannot come except by hearing of the word of God.
B. Reliance v. 4
Paul thanked God for their faith. They not only realized the truth, but transferred the knowledge into a practical response of reliance upon Christ alone as their Savior. For the unbeliever faith brings salvation to him, while for the Christian reliance grows him in his salvation.
All that Paul relates here sets the pace for the rest of Colossians. The sufficiency of the gospel comes to light here. There is no need for some other teaching from the Gnostics. We do not need as believers additions to the gospel such as humanistic psychology, self-helps, new age, mysticism, or rules and regulations. Christ is sufficient!
