Bible Strands
Colossians 2:7
rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Colossian believers, continuing the command to walk in Christ from 2:6 and immediately preceding the warning against human tradition and worldly spiritual forces in 2:8.
The words — ἐρριζωμένοι (errizōmenoi) translates literally as "rooted," and ἐποικοδοούμενοι (epoikodomoumenoi) translates as "being built up," both functioning as present passive participles that describe an ongoing state of spiritual stability.
The thread — The botanical and architectural imagery parallels Jeremiah 17:8, which depicts a tree whose roots draw from a stream, and Paul's earlier instructions in Ephesians 2:20 and Ephesians 3:17, which similarly ground believers in Christ and love.
Why it lands — The text commands believers to remain fixed in Christ, adhere strictly to the teaching they originally received, and sustain gratitude, thereby rejecting external philosophies that lack Christ as their foundation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love,
- Jeremiah 17:8 He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.
- Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
- John 15:4 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.
- Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
- 2 Peter 3:17 Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed.
- Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
- Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
- Isaiah 61:3 to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.