Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 3

Paul Gives Thanks for Their Faith in Christ Part 2

Colossians 1:6-8 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. KJV

In continuing his thanks to God for these Colossian people coming to Christ, Paul declares to them how their reception of the Gospel of Grace has affected their lives as well as all who have embraced it, “Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:” (Colossians 1:6) (KJV). Ever since that day (whenever it was in their lives) that someone (most likely Epaphras) brought the declaration of the Gospel to the city of Colosse, the hearts of many of the people in Colosse hearing this truth was pierced by it and they were brought into or baptized into the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ by faith. In some hearts (not all who heard), the Gospel penetrated and sunk down deep like a seed planted in a well prepared field. The seed of the Gospel of Grace being like a seed planted in a field is growing in these Colossians bearing the fruit of the Gospel such fruit as righteousness as we just learned this same Apostle Paul praying to be displayed in the lives and by the believers at Philippi with these very words, “And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more {and} extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment], So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, {and} approve {and} prize what is excellent {and} of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted {and} pure and unerring {and} blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling {nor} causing others to stumble]. May you abound in {and} be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God [that His glory may be both manifested and recognized].” (Philippians 1:9-11) (Amplified Bible).

The English phrase “bringeth forth fruit” is translated by one Greek word karpophoreo meaning to be fertile in this case in the figurative sense; fruit-bearing or being fruitful. This word is exactly what our Lord Jesus Christ meant when He declared to the first disciples how He would so work in them/us that they/we would bear fruit that was different than what they/we bore before receiving Him as He said with these words, “You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit {and} keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.” (John 15:16) (Amplified Bible). It was evident and apparent to the Apostle Paul that like himself, these Colossian believers had truly experienced the grace of God that flows through the gracious power of God to any sinful soul that would yield to Him as Paul declared of the Thessalonians with these words, “For not only has the Word concerning {and} from the Lord resounded forth from you unmistakably in Macedonia and Achaia, but everywhere the report has gone forth of your faith in God [of your leaning of your whole personality on Him in complete trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. So we [find that we] never need to tell people anything [further about it]. For they themselves volunteer testimony concerning us, telling what an entrance we had among you, and how you turned to God from [your] idols to serve a God Who is alive and true {and} genuine, And [how you] look forward to {and} await the coming of His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead--Jesus, Who personally rescues {and} delivers us out of {and} from the wrath [bringing punishment] which is coming [upon the impenitent] {and} draws us to Himself [investing us with all the privileges and rewards of the new life in Christ, the Messiah].” (1 Thessalonians 1:8-10) (Amplified Bible). Note: “The growing and the fruit-bearing go on simultaneously as always with Christians (inward growth and outward expression).” (Robertson’s Word Pictures).

Although Paul had never met them in person, he wanted them to know what his opinion of Epaphras was, which was also his opinion of them as part of Christ Body, so he says, “As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;” (Colossians 1:7) (KJV). In getting to know Epaphras, Paul felt as if he knew every other member in the Church @ Colosse. Paul calls Epaphras a ‘fellow-servant’ and this English word is translated by the Greek word sundoulos which means a co-slave, that is, servitor or ministrant of the same master (human or divine). In this case the Master is the Divine Son of God our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Paul wanted them to know that he and Epaphras were commanded by and served under the same Lord Jesus Christ seeking the same goal for them and that was for them to as the Apostle Peter declared with these words, “Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of lawless {and} wicked [persons and] fall from your own [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind]. But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition {and} knowledge {and} understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)!” (2 Peter 3:17-18) (Amplified Bible). Love (true love to others) is not inherent in the heart of humanity despite what is spread abroad in the world today. The only real love is produced in the redeemed heart of men and women by God the Holy Spirit and this is what Paul found being produced in his fellow-servant Epaphras, therefore, he declares to Paul and the other believers with Paul what he writes here, “Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.” (Colossians 1:8) (KJV). Love (true love) sincere love is first to our Lord Jesus Christ and to His Body and is more than mere natural affection and is not something that can be worked up in the soul of human beings, it is a gift from God to us as Paul wrote to Brother Timothy with these words, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm {and} well-balanced mind {and} discipline {and} self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7) (Amplified Bible).

“It is good for Christian men often to recall the beginnings of their faith, to live over again their early emotions, and when they may be getting stunned with the din of controversy, and confused as to the relative importance of different parts of Christian truth, to remember what it was that first filled their heart with joy like that of the finder of a hidden treasure, and with what a leap of gladness they first laid hold of Christ.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

“Epaphras was then with Paul. (Philemon 1:23). He had probably been sent to him by the Church at Colossae to consult him in reference to some matters pertaining to the Church there. It is evident from this, that Epaphras was a minister of the Church at Colossae, though there is no evidence, as has been often supposed, that he was the founder of the Church. The Apostle here says, that they had learned from Epaphras the true nature of the Gospel, and he designs undoubtedly to confirm what he had taught them in opposition to the teachings of errorists. He had doubtless conferred with Epaphras respecting the doctrines which he had taught there.” Albert Barnes

“The Apostle Paul speaks of the Word of God or the Gospel of God as if it were a living and breathing person that dwelled among them continuously always breathing out life, and this is no accidental way of speaking declaring the Word of God ‘which is come unto you’ meaning near to them or at hand with them, but this is the way Paul always saw or viewed the Word of God to himself and to others, as it was he (in my opinion) who wrote the letter to the Hebrews and said this to them speaking of the Word of God, ‘For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing {and} sifting {and} analyzing {and} judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.’ (Hebrews 4:12) (Amplified Bible)” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…