Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Rooted.
Colossians 1:23 If 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;
Psalm 1:3 And 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.
Psalm 92:13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
built.
Matthew 7:24,25 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: …
Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
John 15:4,5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me…
stablished.
Colossians 1:23 If 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;
Romans 16:25 Now 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 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
with.
Colossians 1:12,13 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: …
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Established in the faith as you were taught
This phrase highlights the importance of being grounded in the teachings of the faith. The term "established" implies a firm, unwavering commitment, suggesting that believers should be steadfast in their beliefs. This is reminiscent of Ephesians 4:14, where Paul warns against being tossed by waves and carried by every wind of doctrine. The phrase "as you were taught" points to the tradition of apostolic teaching, which was crucial in the early church. The Colossians were likely taught by Epaphras, a fellow servant of Paul (Colossians 1:7). This teaching was rooted in the gospel message, which was consistent with the teachings of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
And overflowing with thankfulness
This phrase calls for an attitude of gratitude, which is a recurring theme in Paul's letters. Thankfulness is not just an emotion but a response to the grace and blessings received through Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul instructs believers to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for them in Christ Jesus. The concept of "overflowing" suggests abundance and generosity, indicating that gratitude should be a natural outpouring of a life transformed by Christ. This thankfulness is a witness to others, reflecting the joy and peace that come from a relationship with God. It also serves as a safeguard against the false teachings and philosophies that Paul warns against earlier in Colossians 2.
• Paul blends agricultural and architectural images to picture a believer’s life firmly anchored in Christ.
• “I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:5) echoes the same idea—our life and fruitfulness depend on abiding in Him.
• Psalm 1:3 describes the blessed person as “a tree planted by streams of water,” stable and nourished.
• Being “built up” adds the sense of a solid structure. “No one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).
• Daily practices that send roots deeper and raise walls higher include:
– Regular intake of Scripture (Jeremiah 15:16)
– Ongoing prayerful communion (Colossians 4:2)
– Fellowship with other believers for mutual strengthening (Ephesians 2:20-22)
• “Established” indicates firmness, reliability, a faith that can withstand pressure.
• Acts 2:42 shows the first church “devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching,” a model for staying grounded.
• Paul urges Timothy, “Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
• Such establishment defends against drift: “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed by the waves” (Ephesians 4:14).
• Practical takeaways:
– Review sound doctrine regularly.
– Test new ideas against the whole counsel of Scripture (Acts 17:11).
– Remember that faith grows stronger by consistent obedience (James 1:22-25).
• Gratitude is not an optional add-on; it is the natural overflow of a heart rooted, built up, and established in Christ.
• “Give thanks in every circumstance” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) describes a life so full of God’s goodness that it spills over.
• Philippians 4:6 links thankful prayer to peace that guards our hearts.
• Psalm 136 repeats, “His loving devotion endures forever,” prompting continual praise.
• Cultivating overflow:
– Verbally thank God throughout the day for specific mercies.
– Share testimonies of His faithfulness with others (Psalm 9:1).
– Let songs of gratitude shape your mindset (Colossians 3:16).
Colossians 2:7 calls believers to sink roots deeply into Christ, rise steadily in spiritual maturity, stand firm on the truths we have received, and let a spirit of gratitude pour out of us. A life grounded in Jesus, anchored in sound doctrine, and marked by continual thanksgiving is both stable and vibrant, showcasing the sufficiency and glory of our Lord.
(7) Rooted and built up in him.--There is a significant change of tense in the original, having been rooted--i.e. (as in Ephesians 3:17), "rooted and grounded" in Him once for all, and being built up continually on that Foundation. (Comp. 1Corinthians 3:9-15.) St. Paul bids them seek not only the first basis of their faith, but their continual growth, in Christ alone, by continual "strengthening in the faith" which rests in Him. We may remember that in the Gnostic teaching faith was held good for the beginner or the common herd, "knowledge" was the bright particular jewel of those who went on to perfection.Abounding (or, overflowing) therein with thanksgiving.--The metaphor is changed. The cup of faith, filled to the full, runs over in that thanksgiving which is the expression both of faith and love.
Verse 7. - Rooted and builded up in him (Colossians 1:23; Colossians 2:5; Ephesians 2:20, 21; Ephesians 3:18; Ephesians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 3:9-12; Jude 1:20; Luke 6:47, 48). "Rooted" is perfect participle, in, plying an abiding fact ("fast rooted"); while "builded up" (literally, upon or unto) is in the present tense of a continued process, the prefix ἐπὶ also implying growth and gain (Colossians 1:6, 10; Colossians 2:19). Meyer and Ellicott view ἐν αὐτῷ as a mere complement of the latter participle: "being builded in him." This weakens the force of both prepositions (ἐπὶ and ἐν), and the emphasis of the repeated "in him." The ideas of planting and building are similarly combined in 1 Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 3:18; and rooted is a figure applied to buildings in ether Greek writers (Lightfoot). "Christ is the ground for the roots below, and the foundation for the building above" (Meyer). And stablished in (or, by) your faith, according as ye were taught (Colossians 1:5-7, 23; 1 Corinthians 1:6-8; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15; 1 Peter 5:9, 10). 'Αν before πίστει ("faith") is struck out in the Revised Text, and is probably a correct gloss. The instrumental dative, preferred by Meyer and Lightfoot, does not accord so well with ver. 5 and Colossians 1:23 (comp. Philippians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Timothy 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9). "Stablished" (βεβαιούμενοι, being kept firm) is present in tense, like "builded up" (ver. 6, see note): comp. Romans 4:16; Philippians 1:7; Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 6:19; Hebrews 13:9; and distinguish from στηρίζω, to make stable, fix firmly. In "as ye were taught" the apostle reminds his readers again of their first lessons in the gospel (Colossians 1:5-7, see notes; 2 Thessalonians 2:15). Abounding in it, with thanksgiving; or, abounding in thanksgiving (Colossians 1:3, 12; Colossians 3:15, 17; Colossians 4:2; Ephesians 5:4, 20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 13:15). The Revisers relegate "in it (your faith)" to the margin, following the judgment of Tischendorf and Tregelles; while Westcott and Hort, Alford, Ellicott, Lightfoot, retain the words in the text. The reading "in him," found in the Vulgate and leading Western documents, throws doubt on these words; but it is difficult to see why they should have been inserted if not authentic, and they might easily be confused by a copyist with the foregoing "in him." The second ἐν, if ἐν αὐτῇ be retained, becomes ἐν οφ αξξομπανιμεντ, and may be rendered "with," as in Colossians 1:29; Ephesians 6:2. (On "thanksgiving," see note, Colossians 1:12.)