The Gospel, its Spread and Fruitfulness
J. Daille. Colossians 1:6-8 Which is come to 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… I. THE ADMIRABLE PROGRESS AND GREAT AND SUDDEN SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. 1. The gospel had come to the Colossians, a people living in Phrygia, a province infamous for its abominations, whence had issued the mysteries and infernal devotions of Cybele, the most detestable of pagan idols, and in whose service were committed the most shameful horrors. Whence it appears that the knowledge of God's Word is a donation of mere grace, and not the payment of merit. The apostle tells them, not that they had come to the gospel, but it to them; to show us that it is God who comes to us, who prevents us by His grace, according to His good pleasure. The sick go to the physician; here the Physician of souls goes to the sick (Luke 19:10; Isaiah 65:1). 2. The gospel was come into all the world. This is not at all astonishing if the other apostles and evangelists laboured each according to his measure. We read of the extraordinary diffusion of the gospel in Justin, Clement, , and even Tacitus acknowledges that there was a very great multitude of Christians in Rome. 3. The apostle mentions this — (1) To confirm them the more in the faith of the gospel. Not that truth depends on its success; though all the world were against it that would be unshaken. Yet it is a consolation to the believer to see the extensive diffusion of his faith; and the more converts, the greater the confirmation. (a) It was not full thirty years since the crucifixion; how, then, could the doctrine of the Cross have made so great a way in so little time, surmounted so many obstacles, flown into so many places, if it were not Divine. What other system has accomplished so much. (b) Then it had no force of arms to advance it, or charms of eloquence and philosophy to commend it. Its missionaries were fishermen and artizans, without credit or experience, persecuted, derided, killed. Yet it spread everywhere. (2) Besides the confirmation of their faith the apostle designed to fortify them against the errors which were being sown in the Church. II. ITS DIVINE EFFICACY. 1. It brings forth fruit — faith, love, etc. It is this energy of the gospel which Christ represents in Matthew 13. Wherever the gospel went it transformed (Isaiah 41:19; Isaiah 55:10, 11), and those whom it transformed used it to transform others. (1) It brought forth fruit instantly — not as nature. The moment the gospel is rightly received it produces fruit. Receive it then at once (Psalm 95:7, 8). One of the most pernicious artifices of the enemy is to induce men to defer conversion. You cannot be the Lord's too soon. (2) But if we are required to bear fruit at once, it follows not that we may soon after cease to do so, as certain trees which, if they are the first to flourish are the first to fade (Psalm 92:14). 2. The faith of the gospel is "the knowledge of the grace of God," because it is not possible to enjoy this heavenly doctrine if the man has not received the mercy it offers in Jesus Christ. This grace is the heart and substance of the gospel. When Paul says that they "beard and knew the grace of God in truth," he means either — (1) That they received it in sincerity, without hypocrisy; or(2) That it was delivered to them pure, and without mixture of Pharisaical superstition or philosophical vanity; or(3) So as it is declared in the gospel, not on error and fictions, as in the false religions; nor in shadow or figure as in the law, but nakedly and simply as it is in itself. Of these three expositions the first is commendatory of the Colossians, the second of Epaphras, the third of the gospel itself. (J. Daille.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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: WEB: which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;