Colossians 1:1-8
Heard About Your Faith
Read the passage
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
4because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints—
5the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel
6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.
7You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
8and who also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
News from Colossae has given Paul reason to thank God. Writing as an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, with Timothy, he greets the saints and faithful brothers in Christ. Grace and peace come to them from God their Father.
Paul has heard of their faith in Christ and their love for all the saints. He connects both with the hope stored up for them in heaven. The promised future they heard about in the gospel encourages trust in Christ and love for His people now.
That gospel is the word of truth. It has borne fruit among them since they heard and understood God's grace, just as it is growing throughout the world. Their congregation shares in the life the same message is producing elsewhere.
They learned the gospel from Epaphras, whom Paul calls a beloved fellow servant and faithful minister of Christ. He has reported their love in the Spirit. His teaching and their response belong to God's gracious work, so Paul's gratitude rises to the Father.
Faith, love and hope are not abstract qualities in this greeting. People have heard the good news, trusted Christ and begun loving one another in ways that others can report with joy.
How We Know
Colossians 1:7 identifies Epaphras as the teacher from whom the church learned the gospel. Colossians 4:12 calls him one of their own and describes his continuing prayers for them. These details connect his teaching with a lasting concern for the congregation; they do not tell us the route by which he first learned or brought the message.
Questions
1 What has Paul heard about the Colossians?
AnswerHe has heard of their faith in Christ Jesus and love for all the saints, and he thanks God when he prays for them.
2 What supports their faith and love?
AnswerThe hope stored up for them in heaven supports both. They learned of this hope through the gospel, the word of truth.
3 How does Paul describe the gospel's work?
AnswerIt is bearing fruit and growing throughout the world and among the Colossians since they heard and understood God's grace.
4 What part has Epaphras played?
AnswerHe taught them the gospel as a faithful minister of Christ and reported their love in the Spirit to Paul.
What This Means for Us
Think of the person who helped you understand the gospel. Thank God for that person's faithful work, and, if possible, tell them how it has helped you.
Good news about another believer's faith deserves more than passing approval. When you hear of someone loving, serving or trusting Christ, let that report become a prayer of thanks. God's grace is at work beyond what we personally see.
Prayer
Father, thank You for those who taught us the good news of Jesus. Strengthen our faith and love through the hope You give, and help us rejoice in Your work among others. Amen.