Answer: The Gospel is bearing fruit and growing all
over the world, (verse 6).
MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
"All over the world" emphasizes the rapid and
continuous spread of the Gospel to every part of the Roman Empire
just 30 years after the day of Pentecost, but remember that Paul
had visited many provinces and worked in large centers of
trade/commerce. By means of extensive trade routes, the
Gospel WAS bearing fruit and growing all over the world:
Colossians 1:21-23: "Once you were
alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your
evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ's
physical body through death to present you holy in His sight,
without blemish and free from accusation--if you continue in
your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out
in the Gospel. This is the Gospel that you heard and that has been
proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul,
have become a servant."
Romans 1:8: "First, I thank my God
through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being
reported all over the world."
Romans 10:16-18: "But not all the
Israelites accepted the Good News. For Isaiah says, 'Lord,
who has believed our message?' Consequently, faith
comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through
the Word of Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course
they did: 'Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.'"
Romans 16:19a: "Everyone has heard
about your obedience, so I am full of joy over
you..."
