2:7

In 2:6 Paul gave his main command in this paragraph—“continue to walk in him.” In 2:7 Paul used three phrases to explain how the Colossians should “walk in Christ.” He told them to be “rooted and built up in Him” (2:7a), “established in the faith” (2:7b), and “overflowing with thankfulness” (2:7c).

2:7a

rooted…in Him: This is the first of two figures of speech in this part of the verse. The form of this verb once more shows that this was an action that had been completed. When the Colossians believed the gospel, they became like a plant that has its roots deep in the soil and stays firmly in place. Paul was telling them to continue to believe firmly all the main teachings about Christ, and not to begin to believe different teachings.

built up in Him: This is the second figure of speech in this part of the verse. Paul was telling the Colossians that in the same way that a building is larger when it is built higher/taller, so their relationship with Christ should grow larger. Paul did not specify exactly what he meant by this. He may have meant that he wanted the Colossians to continue to know more about Christ, or he may have meant that they should continue to trust more in Christ.

The form of the verb shows that this is a continuous action, that is, that Paul wanted the Colossians to continue to be built up in Christ more each day.

If it is not possible for you to use these figures of speech in your language, you could:

• translate the meaning with no figures of speech,

• use a figure of speech from your language which has the same meaning.

One way you could translate this with no figures of speech is:

You have firmly believed and trusted in him, so continue to do this and continue to grow in your relationship with him.

2:7b

established in the faith as you were taught: There are two ways to understand the faith here:

(1) It refers to all the true teachings about Christ. So Paul wanted the Colossians to grow stronger and more convinced about the true Christian message. SSA and many commentaries support this view.

(2) It refers to personal faith in Christ. So Paul wanted the Colossians to grow stronger in their own faith. For example:

become ever stronger in your faith (Good News Translation)

(Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, UBS Handbook Handbook).

Most English versions translate this phrase ambiguously. Because the phrase as you were taught follows the words the faith, the first option (1) is probably correct in this context. Paul wanted the Colossians to become more and more convinced that the faith they had been taught was true.

established: The Greek word bebaioō that the Berean Standard Bible translates established means “to make sure, to confirm.” So 2:7b means, “Continue to be convinced/sure that the things you have been taught are true.”

as you were taught: Paul mentioned in 1:7 that Epaphras was one of the people who taught the Colossians about Christ. If is it not possible in your language to use a passive (you were taught), you could say:

like ⌊people⌋ taught you
-or-
like ⌊Epaphras and others⌋ taught you

2:7c

overflowing with thankfulness: This means being very thankful to God. Paul was not writing about being thankful in a general sense.

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