The Gospel Transformative Work

Paul wrote to the church in Colossae during a time where all sorts of strange teaching was occurring. Paul honed in on the superiority of Christ over all of these philosophies and traditions. Christ’s deity and the work of the gospel are his main highlights. He explains that if we get our eternal focus correct than the earthly things of this world will be placed in proper perspective.

Colossae was a small market town in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), around 60-62 AD during his first imprisonment in Rome.

We can surmise this writing time because the city was devastated by an earthquake later and never completely restored. Had that occurred before this writing Paul likely would likely never written this letter due to the devastation that occurred in the region.

Although Paul had never visited Colossae personally, it is believed that the church was founded during his third missionary journey, possibly through the influence of Epaphras, who likely learned from Paul during his two-year stay in Ephesus[1] (Acts 19:10).

The letter addresses theological errors threatening the Colossian church that challenged the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Paul's epistle follows a typical structure, beginning with greetings and thanksgiving, followed by theological exposition and practical application, and concluding with personal greetings[3].

The central theme of Colossians is the lordship of Jesus if we miss that, then we missed the key message of Colossians. The letter emphasizes Christ as the source, supporter, and goal of creation, as well as the redeemer and reconciler of fallen creation[4].

[1] Chris Benfield, “Introduction to the Book of Colossians,” in Pulpit Pages: New Testament Sermons (Mount Airy, NC: Chris Benfield, 2015), 1050. [3] Crossway Bibles, ESV Literary Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019), 1829–1832. [4] Robin Johnston and Lee Ann Alexander, eds., Apostolic Study Bible: King James Version: Notes, Standard Edition (Hazelwood, MO: Word Aflame Press, 2014), 1917–1918.

Colossians can be broken into two main parts ch. 1-2 deals with criticism of false teaching that the church was facing. Ch. 3-4 deals with how Christians are to live proper lives before Christ.

As we faithfully pursue Christ, we will see 2 powerful works that the Gospel of Christ shows in the lives of believers.

Read Colossians 1:1–14 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

The first powerful work that the Gospel shows is

1. Our lives reflect the bonding of the Gospel together vs. 1-8

As we stated, Paul wrote this letter and he opens his letter in his normal Pauline way. Paul is writing from prison and he wrote 4 letters while there. But regardless of what was happening in Paul’s life he always had a heart for the church and the saints in it.

He calls them holy and faithful v. 2 which speaks to their dedication to Jesus despite being under fire from the outside and inside the church.

While Paul never met the Colossae believers, as he says in v. 4, he had a bond with them.

How did Paul have connection with them? It seems to be around Epaphras Col 1:7, 4:12-13 who worked with Paul during his time in Ephesus, and there is another connection with Onesimus a slave in Col 4:9 that we learn more about from the book of Philemon and the need of reconciliation there. All that to say, how in the world did Paul feel so passionately for them having never met them? Its because of the effect of the gospel and how it binds us together.

That is why in v. 3 Paul says he gives thanks to God for them. Paul had deep investment in them because of the deep investment the gospel had in their lives. Whenever he was praying for them, he always was expressing his thanks to God.

Not only did Paul have a strong bond with the saints here, but the Colossae believers were deeply bonded with other Christians around the world because of the Gospel v. 4b-5 because of the object of their faith in Christ Jesus.

Colossians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Faith’s Definition

Biblical faith is not a “leap in the dark.” It is based on fact and grounded in evidence. It is defined in

This bond allows us to invest and lay down our present desires for the future return investment in Christ. Our hope, investment, is not to be experienced fully here and now, but we await the return investment in the future kingdom.

V. 6 Paul reminds the Colossae believers that the Gospel is moving forward, people are coming to faith in Christ and so our bond is increasing and we should be celebrating that truth. Paul is making it clear not only should the gospel be growing in number of people coming to faith but the statement “bearing fruit and increasing” speaks to a depth that is occurring in the life of the believer.

Colossians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Gospel Truth Reproduces Fruit

The gospel produces fruit both in the internal transformation of individuals, and also in the external growth of the church.

V. 7 we can ask who is Epaphras?

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Epaphras

Epaphras. Co-worker with the apostle Paul. Epaphras, a native of Colossae, was responsible for the city’s evangelization, as well as that of Laodicea and Hierapolis. Through him Paul learned of the progress of the Colossian church and thus wrote his letter to the Colossians. Paul’s high regard for Epaphras was evidenced by his use of such terms as “beloved fellow servant,” “faithful minister of Christ” (

Paul’s love for the saints of Colossae grew because of Epaphras’ love for them. Which really demonstrates the Pastor’s heart to his people.

The second powerful work that the Gospel shows is

2. Our lives reflect the transformation of the Gospel through prayer vs. 9-14

Going back to v. 1 and we consider who Paul was before Christ. A persecutor of the church, an active enemy to now being an apostle of Christ by God’s will. To then speak to saints of the church who all have varying backgrounds of sins and struggle. We cannot help but think of the power that the gospel brings about transformation.

Paul wanted the Colossian saints to know God and demonstrate the powerful transformation that the Gospel does in the life of each believer and that is why he shared this prayer.

v. 9 That is why Paul stressed the importance of prayer, I’d encourage you and myself to take a good look this week and think. How often do I pray for the transformation of the gospel in my life but also those around me?

Paul lays out 7 areas we can pray and praise God for us and others:

A. Pray for spiritual wisdom v. 9b

The ability to not only gain knowledge of God’s Word but the greek word sophia (wisdom) speaks to being able to organize the principles and live them out.

We should be praying not just for a knowledge or understanding of how God’s Word should be understood but how we can live it out.

B. Pray for a walk worthy of the gospel v. 10a

Now this sounds similar, but the word walk speaks to a pattern of daily conduct or our integrity. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 “we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”

It is taking what Paul talked about in v. 9 and having the courage to live it out through the power of the Holy Spirit.

C. Pray for fruit to be seen v. 10b

What fruit could we be looking for? Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Fruit that bears witness of being Christ’s disciples John 15:8

John 15:4–5 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

We need to be actively attached to the vine to produce fruit.

And as Peter said in 2 Peter 1:5–8 “For this very reason, make every effort...” We have to work diligently.

D. Pray for growth in the knowledge of God v. 10c

This plays out as a deeper love for God’s Word and a deeper or perfecting obedience to it.

Psalm 119:97 “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

E. Pray for endurance in life v. 11

Pray for the strength as trials enter your life. Through the power of Christ’s work in your life. Dunamoumenoi a form of the Greek word dynamoō which we get the word picture dynamite.

F. Pray for joy in our lives v. 11

Joy in the midst of the endurance. Similar to Acts 16:25 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,”

G. Praise God for the work of the Gospel v. 12-14

One we have a personal connection to our Father.

Second we have an inheritance to acquire through Christ. Which is both a present reality and a future one.

Third we have no active part in this, it solely relies upon the goodness of our Father.

“Our greatest need is not to be healed from sickness, nor to experience harmony and justice in our societies, not to see poverty eradicated, nor even to establish lasting peace with each other. Our greatest need, above all others, is to be transferred into Christ’s kingdom and have our sins forgiven.” Richard Chin Captivated by Christ

Paul wanted the saints to be reminded of just where they came from and to where God was leading them. I cannot confidently say this, but I imagine every time Paul wrote the introduction to his letters there might have been a momentary pause as he considered where he was to where he is heading.

Next Steps:

Let’s sit in wonder of the Gospel. Paul spent 14 verses focused in on what Christ has done for His people. Let’s be honest, he is going to spend more than that in the weeks ahead.

Are you growing in your deep love for Christ? Is it impacting your daily life?

This week, spend time each day writing 5 ways Christ has changed you or grown your love for Him.