Colossians 1:6

Which is come unto you; even as it is also in all the world bearing fruit and increasing, as it doth in you also, since the day ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth.

In all the world ... "is not to be understood as hyperbole."[15] Hendriksen supplied the following quotations:

Justin Martyr: There is no people, Greek or barbarians, or of any other race ... however ignorant ... whether they dwell in tents or wander about in covered wagons, among whom prayers and thanksgivings are not offered in the name of the crucified Jesus to the Father and Creator of all things.

Tertullian: We are but of yesterday, and yet we already fill your cities, islands, camps, your palace, senate, forum. We have left you only your temples.[16]

There are likewise numerous hints in the New Testament of the widespread acceptance of Christianity. "All those of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks" (Acts 19:10); "The word of the Lord grew and increased mightily" (Acts 19:20); "In every place your faith in God has gone forth" (1 Thessalonians 1:8); "The gospel has become clear throughout the whole praetorian guard and to all the rest" (Philippians 1:12f).

[15] Ernest G. Ashby, op. cit., p. 484.

[16] William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 51.