Paul invested much of his energy in responsive, reliable disciples. He nurtured and trained them to multiply his efforts. This is how the Gospel spread from Ephesus to all Asia.
But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, [Paul] withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks (Acts 19:9-10).
Thus the Gospel reached Colosse through its native son Epaphras, rather than Paul himself. 47
… 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, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf (Colossians 1:6-7).
Are you “faithful” like Paul and Epaphras? Does the same Christ who lived in them now live in you? Then expect Christ to reach people through you too. Expect Christ to use you to bless your people and your province, and even “lands beyond you” (2 Corinthians 10:16)48 Expect Christ to give you trainees to carry victory forward into the future.49
49. Much of 2 Timothy prepares Timothy to carry the faith forward after the execution of Paul, 2 Timothy 4:6.