Rooted and Built Up In Christ
Author: Stephen Weller
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6 – 7 ESV)
Paul is calling the Colossians, and us, back to foundational teaching passed on to them by Epaphras when they first became Christians by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ by faith into their hearts.
To receive Jesus into our lives, we must be convicted of our sin and come humbly before Jesus and by faith accept the gift of eternal life: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13 ESV). 9 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9 – 10 ESV). 8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8 – 10 ESV).
Once we “receive Christ Jesus the Lord,” we are to walk in him; that is, we are “to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10 ESV). Those good works were prepared for us to do beforehand (at the foundation of the world) that we should do them as believers. Those good works come with instruction on how to do them. Those instructions are clearly outlined in the Bible.
We are to be “rooted and built up in him.” To be rooted into is to draw from him as the source of what we need to bear fruit. In John 15 “abide in” is used in place of “rooted”: “I [Jesus] am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 ESV).
To be “built up in him” is to be conformed into his likeness, a process that God has promised he will accomplish in us: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29 ESV). Paul outlines this in Romans 12:2 ESV: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
To be “established in the faith” is to be rooted into it to where you can understand God’s provision for you and draw upon it by faith and make it part of your life. There are many promises that God has made to us that we can draw upon for use in our lives. We learn to understand how to pray to God for his provision. We must always study the Bible to learn and we need to learn to understand how God uses trials to mature our walk in the faith.
As we walk with the Lord through life we are to “[give] thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20 ESV). Even in the midst of those fiery trials God can be found doing something that we can be thankful for.
Father, what a special two verses these are. They point us to you through salvation provided by Jesus Christ and they encourage us to walk with him through whatever we encounter in life.
The Following Addendum Is Provided by ChatGPT
Summary Theme
Living a Life Rooted in Christ
Summary Paragraph
In Colossians 2:6–7, the apostle Paul the Apostle exhorts believers to continue living in the same faith through which they first received Jesus Christ as Lord. The Christian life is not merely a moment of conversion but a continual walk with Christ. Paul uses several images to describe spiritual growth: being rooted like a tree firmly planted in nourishing soil, built up like a structure growing stronger upon a solid foundation, established in the faith through sound teaching, and overflowing with thanksgiving as the natural response to God’s grace. These verses emphasize stability, maturity, and gratitude as the marks of a believer who remains firmly anchored in Christ.
Discussion Questions with Extended Answers
1. What does it mean to “walk in Christ” as Paul describes in this passage?
Answer:
To “walk in Christ” refers to the daily conduct and lifestyle of a believer. In Scripture, the word walk often symbolizes the pattern of one’s life (Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 4:1). Paul reminds believers that just as they received Christ by faith, they must continue living by that same faith. This means trusting Christ for guidance, strength, and righteousness in everyday decisions. Walking in Christ includes obeying His teachings, maintaining fellowship with Him through prayer and Scripture, and allowing His character to shape our attitudes and actions. It highlights that salvation begins with faith but also continues as a life of dependence on Christ.
2. What is the significance of being “rooted and built up” in Christ?
Answer:
Paul combines two powerful images: agriculture and construction. Being rooted suggests a tree whose roots grow deep into the soil, drawing nourishment and stability. Spiritually, this means grounding one’s life in Christ so that faith is nourished through God’s Word and sustained through relationship with Him. Being built up points to a building constructed upon a strong foundation. Christ Himself is that foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). As believers grow, their spiritual “structure” becomes stronger through teaching, discipleship, and obedience. Together these images show that a healthy Christian life is both deeply grounded and steadily growing.
3. How does being “established in the faith” protect believers from error?
Answer:
The church at Colossae faced false teachings that threatened to draw believers away from the sufficiency of Christ. When believers are established in the faith, they are firmly grounded in the truths they have been taught about Christ and the gospel. This stability allows them to recognize and reject teachings that contradict Scripture. Sound doctrine, careful study of God’s Word, and faithful instruction within the church help believers develop discernment. A strong foundation in biblical truth guards the mind and heart from deception.
4. Why does Paul connect spiritual growth with thanksgiving?
Answer:
Thanksgiving is the natural response to recognizing God’s grace. When believers understand that their salvation, growth, and security all come from Christ, gratitude overflows from their hearts. Paul emphasizes that Christian maturity is not merely intellectual knowledge but a joyful awareness of God’s work in one’s life. A thankful heart reflects humility and dependence on God, acknowledging that everything believers have received comes from Him (James 1:17). Gratitude also strengthens faith, reminding believers of God’s faithfulness and encouraging continued trust in Him.
5. How can believers practically live out the truths of Colossians 2:6–7 today?
Answer:
Believers live out these verses by intentionally cultivating a life centered on Christ. This includes regular engagement with Scripture to deepen understanding of God’s truth, consistent prayer to maintain fellowship with Him, participation in a community of believers for encouragement and accountability, and obedience to Christ’s teachings in daily life. Practicing gratitude, through worship, prayer, and reflection on God’s blessings, also reinforces a Christ-centered life. As believers remain rooted in Christ and continually grow in Him, their lives reflect spiritual stability, maturity, and joy.
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