Colossians 1:6 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:

Colossians 1:6 nkjv

which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

Colossians 1:6 niv

that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world?just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace.

Colossians 1:6 esv

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,

Colossians 1:6 nlt

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace.

Colossians 1 verses

Colossians 1 6 Meaning

This verse describes the dynamic and effective nature of the gospel. It emphasizes that the same life-transforming message that has reached the Colossian believers is simultaneously spreading and actively manifesting its power throughout the entire world. This manifestation is seen in two primary ways: by "bearing fruit," referring to the ethical and spiritual transformation in individual lives and communities, and by "growing," indicating both the quantitative increase in believers and the qualitative development within them. The foundation for this profound impact lies in the Colossians' genuine reception, through hearing and truly understanding, the liberating truth of God's grace.

Colossians 1 6 Context

Colossians 1:6 is situated within Paul's thanksgiving and prayer section (Col 1:3-14) for the believers in Colossae. He commends them for their faith in Christ, their love for all saints, and their hope, which is founded on "the word of truth, the gospel" (Col 1:5). Verse 6 serves to validate and elaborate on the authenticity of this gospel. Historically, the Colossian church was facing a mixture of teachings known as the "Colossian Heresy," which included elements of Jewish legalism, ascetic practices, angel worship, and a diminished view of Christ. By highlighting the gospel's universal reach, transformative fruit, and ongoing growth, Paul implicitly counters these false teachings, emphasizing that the true gospel is robust, effective, and inherently divine, unlike the restrictive and speculative alternatives being introduced. He assures them that their faith is part of a real and global movement, originating from a true understanding of God's grace, not from human wisdom or rituals.

Colossians 1 6 Word analysis

• which has come (τὸ παρόν - to paron): Refers to the gospel, indicating its arrival among the Colossians. The Greek phrase tō paron, "the one having arrived/being present," denotes not a passive receipt, but an active, divine propulsion and arrival of the gospel itself. It signifies that the gospel is a powerful entity that asserts its presence.
• to you (εἰς ὑμᾶς - eis hymas): Specific recipients. It emphasizes that the gospel's global reach includes them directly, making their experience verifiable and personal.
• as it has (καθὼς καὶ - kathōs kai): Establishes a comparison and equality. The Colossians' experience with the gospel is not unique or isolated but mirrors its universal manifestation.
• in all the world (ἐν παντὶ τῷ κόσμῳ - en panti tō kosmō): Greek pas ho kosmos signifies universality. This phrase highlights the global dissemination and impact of the gospel, even in Paul's day, implying that its message transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. It underlines the gospel's inherent expansive nature as God's message for all humanity.
• and is bearing fruit (καὶ ἔστιν καρποφορούμενον - kai estin karpophoroumenon): The Greek word karpophoreō means to be fruitful, to yield increase. This is an active, ongoing present participle, signifying a continuous process of productivity. It refers to the internal and external changes the gospel produces in lives—righteous living, acts of love, spiritual qualities (like the fruit of the Spirit). It points to the transforming power of the gospel, where individuals exemplify new life.
• and growing (καὶ αὐξανόμενον - kai auxanomenon): The Greek auxanō means to grow, increase, or enlarge. Like "bearing fruit," it's a present participle indicating continuous action. While "bearing fruit" often refers to spiritual quality, "growing" signifies the quantitative spread of the gospel, meaning more people are embracing it, and also the qualitative growth in understanding and spiritual maturity among believers. It points to expansion and development.
• as it also does in you (καθὼς καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν - kathōs kai en hymin): Reiteration for emphasis and verification. The Colossians are living proof of the gospel's efficacy; its global work is demonstrably real within their own community. It affirms the genuineness of their faith and the reality of the gospel's work in them.
• since the day (ἀφ᾽ ἧς ἡμέρας - aph hēs hēmeras): Marks a specific starting point—their conversion or initial hearing of the gospel. This indicates a definable moment when their understanding led to their transformation.
• you heard (ἠκούσατε - ēkousate): Greek akouō, referring to more than mere auditory perception; it implies attentive listening leading to comprehension and acceptance, a reception with the mind and heart.
• and understood (καὶ ἐπέγνωτε - kai epegnōte): The Greek verb epiginōskō means to come to know fully, recognize, or truly understand. It's a stronger form than simple knowledge (ginōskō), suggesting an experiential, deep, and convicting comprehension of what they heard. This genuine understanding is key to their spiritual transformation.
• the grace of God (τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ - tēn charin tou theou): Charis signifies unmerited favor, divine benevolence, or a gift given freely without deserving it. It is the core of the gospel message. The gospel is fundamentally about God's initiative in extending kindness and salvation, apart from human works.
• in truth (ἐν ἀληθείᾳ - en alētheia): The Greek alētheia denotes truth, reality, genuineness, and conformity to fact. This emphasizes the authenticity of the gospel message itself and the Colossians' sincere and genuine comprehension of it. It subtly contrasts with any deceptive or false teachings, implying that the gospel received was the pure, unadulterated message.

• "which has come to you, as it has in all the world": This phrase underlines the gospel's active, divine progression and its universal character. The same transformative power at work in the Colossian community is part of a global, ongoing phenomenon initiated by God, not by human effort alone.
• "and is bearing fruit and growing": This duo highlights the multifaceted impact of the gospel. "Bearing fruit" speaks to the qualitative spiritual and moral transformation in believers' lives and their resultant good works. "Growing" speaks to the quantitative expansion of the gospel message and the increasing number of its adherents, as well as their development in spiritual maturity. These are continuous, living processes inherent to the gospel.
• "as it also does in you, since the day you heard and understood": This specific application connects the global impact to the Colossians' personal experience, affirming their reality. The "day you heard and understood" marks a definitive point of conversion or sincere reception, suggesting that their spiritual journey began with genuine, intelligent apprehension rather than blind belief or mere ritual.
• "the grace of God in truth": This specifies the precise content of their understanding. The core of the gospel is God's undeserved favor ("grace"), and it was understood "in truth," meaning genuinely and accurately, in contrast to false or misleading doctrines. This truth provides the foundational reality for all subsequent spiritual growth and fruit-bearing.

Colossians 1 6 Bonus section

The passive voice for "is bearing fruit" (καρποφορούμενον) and "growing" (αὐξανόμενον) implies that while believers participate, it is ultimately the gospel itself, powered by God, that effects these transformations. It is not merely human effort that generates spiritual fruit or causes the message to expand, but the intrinsic life-giving power of the gospel of God's grace. This understanding helps guard against spiritual pride or an overemphasis on human endeavor, positioning God as the true source of all spiritual vitality and expansion. This verse also functions as an implicit affirmation of the validity of the Colossians' initial conversion and the true gospel Epaphras brought them, providing a strong anchor amidst theological challenges.

Colossians 1 6 Commentary

Colossians 1:6 succinctly captures the vibrant, living essence of the true gospel. It is not a static doctrine but a dynamic, global force initiated by God. Its "coming" to various communities, including Colossae, demonstrates its universal reach and active spread. Crucially, the gospel is not merely received; it produces tangible effects: it is "bearing fruit" in transformed lives, evidenced by righteous character and actions, and it is "growing," indicating both the numerical expansion of believers and their qualitative development in spiritual maturity. The consistent phrase "as it has in all the world" and "as it also does in you" stresses the gospel's unchanging nature and power across diverse contexts. This potent reality for the Colossians, which directly contrasted the alluring but barren false teachings, began the "day you heard and understood the grace of God in truth." This signifies that authentic transformation is predicated on a genuine, discerning apprehension of God's unmerited favor, a truth that liberates and sustains the spiritual life.

Practical Usage:

• Encourages believers to see their local faith as part of a global, active divine movement.
• Highlights that genuine faith manifests in both inward character change (fruit) and outward spiritual growth and influence.
• Emphasizes the critical importance of truly understanding God's grace as the foundation for faith and spiritual life.