Paul a minister of the gospel is bound in chains while he writes this letter to the Colossians believers, a people he has never met, whose church he has never visited, to commend them on their faith in Jesus. Paul may be bound in chains but the gospel is breaking free and spreading beyond and independently of Paul himself. Paul does not need to have met these believers to have a relationship. He address them as fellow believers who like him are “In Christ.” Paul’s relationship with the gospel is also shared with this community. He understands that it is a gospel that flows from Christ, is accomplished through Christ, and is for the sake of Christ and his mission.