What does Colossians 1:6 mean?
Paul notes that the gospel has already come to this community. Paul is not writing to unbelievers, but to an existing church. Verse 7 will state that Epaphras was the person responsible for the growth of Christianity in this city. In addition to those in Colossae, the gospel was reaching many other regions at this time. From Paul's perspective, the specific "world" he had in mind was likely modern-day Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, all of which were experiencing Christian growth by this time. Paul primarily served as a missionary in the Middle East and Europe, writing to the Colossian believers while under house arrest in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire.The gospel was growing among the people of Colossae, and had been ever since it was first accepted by people of the city. The "day" is likely a general reference meaning "since the time." This implies a prompt and positive response to the gospel under the leadership of Epaphras. Both grace and truth are presented together, a theme presented elsewhere by John (John 1:14, 17).