Churches in the first century AD met in private homes, not in distinct buildings. Here in Colossians, Paul is reprimanding Archippus the Pastor for not doing his job as unto the Lord. Because in the present Church Age each and every saint is a Royal-Priest, it is necessary to outline and comprehend the system that God has ordained for the spiritual advancement of the saints. The gift is given at the point of salvation and, as already stated, is not based on merit of any type. The gift is given by God the Holy Spirit, and it would be presumptuous to attempt to document his criteria for assigning the gift.
Opinions abound, the discussion is endless, and connections too tenuous to be defined are cited.
The author also asserts that the question, aside from Scriptural analysis and its acceptance or dissension, should be directed to God the Holy Spirit, not the author. As Paul with Philemon, the author refuses to impose his exegetical conclusions upon others, other than to state that the tumult that the question arouses is beyond belief. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow minister of Christ on our behalf. This is a remarkable and, to some, a shocking statement. Surely you heard of him and were taught him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.