Colossians 2 · Verse 7

Colossians 2:7

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:7, King James Version

Colossians 2:7 in other translations

BSBrooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
WEBrooted and built up in him and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.
ASVrooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
YLTbeing rooted and built up in him, and confirmed in the faith, as ye were taught--abounding in it in thanksgiving.
DARBYrooted and built up in him, and assured in the faith, even as ye have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
BBERooted and based together in him, strong in the faith which the teaching gave you, giving praise to God at all times.
WebsterRooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

What does Colossians 2:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. Rooted--(Ep 3:17). built up--Greek, "being builded up." As "rooted" implies their vitality; so "builded up," massive solidity. As in the Song of Solomon, when one image is not sufficient to express the varied aspects of divine truth, another is employed to supply the idea required. Thus "walking," a third image (Col 2:6), expresses the thought which "rooted" and "built," though each suggesting a thought peculiar to itself, could not express, namely, onward motion. "Rooted" is in the past tense, implying their first conversion and vital grafting "in Him." "Built up" is present (in the Greek), implying their progressive increase in religion by union with Him. Ep 2:20 refers to the Church; but the passage here to their individual progress in edification (Ac 20:32). stablished--confirmed. as--"even as." abounding therein with thanksgiving--advancing to fuller maturity (compare Col 2:2) in the faith, "with thanksgiving" to God as the gracious Author of this whole blessing.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 7. Rooted--in him. As a tree strikes its roots deep in the earth, so our faith should strike deep into the doctrine respecting the Saviour. See the phrase here used explained in the parallel place in Eph 3:17.

And stablisheth in the faith, as ye have been taught. To wit, by the founders of the church, and by those faithful ministers who had succeeded them. Col 1:7.

Abounding therein with thanksgiving. Expressing overflowing thanks to God that you have been made acquainted with truths so precious and glorious. If there is anything for which we ought to be thankful, it is for the knowledge of the great truths respecting our Lord and Saviour.

(c) "rooted" Eph 3:17 (d) "and stablished" Jn 15:4,5

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 7 Rooted and built up in him - It is not usual with the apostle to employ this double metaphor, taken partly from the growth of a tree and the increase of a building. They are to be rooted; as the good seed had been already sown, it is to take root, and the roots are to spread far, wide, and deep. They are to be grounded; as the foundation has already been laid, they are to build thereon. In the one case, they are to bear much fruit; in the other, they are to grow up to be a habitation of God through the Spirit. See the notes on Eph 2:21, Eph 2:22 (note); Eph 3:17 (note). Abounding therein with thanksgiving - No limitation is ever set to the operations of God on the soul, or to the growth of the soul in the knowledge, love, and image of God. Those who are brought into such a state of salvation should abound in gratitude and loving obedience, as they grow in grace.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 2:1-7

The soul prospers when we have clear knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. When we not only believe with the heart, but are ready, when called, to make confession with the mouth. Knowledge and faith make a soul rich. The stronger our faith, and the warmer our love, the more will our comfort be. The treasures of wisdom are hid, not from us, but for us, in Christ. These were hid from proud unbelievers, but…

Read the full comment on Colossians 2:1-7 →

Colossians 2:7 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐρριζωμένοιerrizōmenoirootedG4492
καὶkaiandG2532
ἐποικοδομούμενοιepoikodomoumenoibeing built upG2026
ἐνeninG1722
αὐτῷautōHimG846
καὶkaiandG2532
βεβαιούμενοιbebaioumenoibeing strengthened inG950
τῇtēatheG3588
πίστειpisteifaithG4102
καθὼςkathōseven asG2531
ἐδιδάχθητε,edidachthēteyou were taught,G1321
περισσεύοντεςperisseuontesaboundingG4052
ἐνenwithG1722
εὐχαριστίᾳ.¶eucharistiathanksgiving.G2169

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 2:7

  • Ephesians 3:17

    That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

  • Jeremiah 17:8

    For 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.

  • Ephesians 2:20-22

    And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

  • 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. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

  • 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;

  • 2 Peter 3:17-18

    Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:17

    Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

  • 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: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

  • 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: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

  • Ephesians 5:20

    Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  • Isaiah 61:3

    To 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.

  • Psalms 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.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rooted.
1:23; Ps 1:3; 92:13; Isa 61:3; Jer 17:8; Eze 17:23,24; Ro 11:17,18
Eph 2:21,22; 3:17; Jude 1:12
built.
Mt 7:24,25; Lu 6:48; Joh 15:4,5; 1Co 3:9-15; Eph 2:20-22; 1Pe 2:4-6
Jude 1:20
stablished.
1:23; Ro 16:25; 1Co 15:58; 2Co 1:21; 2Th 2:17; 1Pe 5:10; 2Pe 3:17,18
Jude 1:24
with.
1:12,13; 3:17; Eph 5:20; 1Th 5:18; Heb 13:15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Colossians 2:6

    As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

  • Colossians 2:7

    Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

  • Colossians 2:8

    Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Read all of Colossians 2

Colossians 2:7 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Arraigados y sobreedificados en él, y confirmados en la fe, así como habéis aprendido, creciendo en ella con hacimiento de gracias.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		enracinés et édifiés en lui, et affermis dans la foi, selon que vous avez été enseignés, abondant en elle avec des actions de grâces.
German
Elberfelder 1871		gewurzelt und auferbaut in ihm und befestigt in dem Glauben, so wie ihr gelehrt worden seid, überströmend in demselben mit Danksagung.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		radicati, et superædificati in ipso, et confirmati fide, sicut et didicistis, abundantes in illo in gratiarum actione.