18. READ: COLOSSIANS 1:1-14
a. Where is the Gospel bearing fruit and growing?
Answer: The Gospel is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, (verse 6).
"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..."