Colossians 2:7
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐποικοδομούμενοι
built up
G2026
ἐποικοδομούμενοι
built up
Strong's:
G2026
Word #:
3 of 17
to build upon, i.e., (figuratively) to rear up
αὐτῇ
him
G846
αὐτῇ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστει
the faith
G4102
πίστει
the faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
10 of 17
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
ἐδιδάχθητε
ye have been taught
G1321
ἐδιδάχθητε
ye have been taught
Strong's:
G1321
Word #:
12 of 17
to teach (in the same broad application)
περισσεύοντες
abounding
G4052
περισσεύοντες
abounding
Strong's:
G4052
Word #:
13 of 17
to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel
Cross References
Ephesians 3:17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,Jeremiah 17:8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.Colossians 1:23If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;2 Thessalonians 2:17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.Isaiah 61:3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.Ephesians 5:20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;Romans 16:25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,1 Peter 5:10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.Psalms 1:3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.Psalms 92:13Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Historical Context
The contrast between initial teaching and subsequent innovation marks early Christian conflicts. Apostolic churches faced pressure to 'update' gospel for cultural relevance or philosophical sophistication. Paul consistently directs believers back to original teaching, not forward to speculative innovations. Spiritual maturity means deeper understanding of revelation already received, not discovering new revelation beyond apostolic deposit.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your spiritual life demonstrate established roots and solid foundation versus unstable searching?
- When evaluating new teachings, do you compare them to what you were first taught, or assume newer is better?
- Does thanksgiving overflow in your faith, or have you become entitled and demanding toward God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Paul mixes metaphors—agricultural ("rooted," errizōmenoi, ἐρριζωμένοι) and architectural ("built up," epoikodomoumenoi, ἐποικοδομούμενοι). Both perfect participles indicate completed past action with continuing results: believers are already rooted and built, not striving to become so. Present growth builds on established foundation.
"Stablished in the faith" (bebaiou menoi tē pistei, βεβαιούμενοι τῇ πίστει) uses commercial terminology for legal validation, making secure. "As ye have been taught" appeals to original apostolic instruction through Epaphras, establishing primacy of first teaching over later innovations. "Abounding therein with thanksgiving" (perisseuontes en autē en eucharistia, περισσεύοντες ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ) pictures overflowing gratitude as faith's natural expression.