<p>1:6 <i>That Gospel is come to you, even as it has also come to all the world</i><i>-</i> This is not to be read as a statement that the Gospel had been spread into all the world let alone the entire <i>kosmos</i>- for it had not been. The idea may be that there is something universal about the Gospel, in contrast with the various false religions and gospels of paganism, which tended to have mere local appeal. They offered good news for the local people of a certain city or area, whereas the true Gospel of Christ has universal appeal and relevance and is addressed to all people equally. Colossians appears directed against a particular false 'gospel' which was circulating in Colosse and surrounds.</p><p><i>Bearing fruit and increasing</i><i>, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth</i><i>- </i>Paul enthuses that the Colossians were in the good ground category of the sower parable: the Gospel &ldquo;<i>bringeth forth fruit</i>... in you, since the day <i>ye heard</i>&rdquo; (AV). The important doctrines of the basic Gospel bring forth the fruit of spirituality in the converts (Col. 1:6). The <i>euangelion </i>is pictured in Colossians 1 as a mighty, personal force working powerfully in the lives of men and women. It produced fruit, i.e. concrete actions (Philemon 11). The Gospel gives &quot;understanding <i>that </i>ye might walk worthy&quot; (Col. 1:9,10). We bear fruit and increase in this &quot;by the increasing knowledge of God&quot; (Col. 1:10 RVmg.). Thus we are to be renewed in knowledge, finding full assurance of our salvation in <i>understanding</i> (Col. 2:2; 3:10). The Hebrew word for &ldquo;understanding&rdquo; is also that for &ldquo;certainty&rdquo;- e.g. Josh. 23:13 &ldquo;Know for a <i>certainty</i>&hellip;&rdquo; s.w. &ldquo;understanding&rdquo;. To understand is to be sure, in God&rsquo;s language. Understanding, &quot;being filled with the knowledge of his will&quot;, <i>does </i>have a place in determining our daily walk in Christ. What and how we understand, and thereby what we believe, <i>does </i>therefore matter.</p>