Colossians 2:7

Colossians 2:7

“firmly rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

If the first verse [v.6] answers the question, “What must we do now that we are Christians?”, this next verse answers the question, “How are we to accomplish such a life?” I suppose another question could follow on the heals of this one – “Why must we live this way?” The answer to the “how” is answered explicitly, while the answer to the “why” is answered implicitly. Paul answers the question with four adverbial participles (all of which correspond with the four participles in 1:10-12 – relating to horticulture and ending with thanksgiving and which serve to modify the main verb – Moo and Harris). This fact shows us at least two things: 1) that Paul understands God’s sovereign work in building his church; and 2) that these things, for which he asks and now exhorts, are the apostle’s central concern for the church at Colossae as they continue in the faith.

[Remaining] firmly rooted (perfect, middle, participle, nmp) How are we to “continually live in Christ?” First, the Christian is to remain firmly rooted. In agreement with Moo, I use the term “remain” to properly communicate the meaning of the perfect tense of the participle. If one has been firmly rooted (perfect – past event), then, in “continuing,” he must “remain” so rooted (perfect - with future implications). This verb may indicate a particular nature of faith. As we have seen, faith receives. But this verb may tell us “how” it receives. There is an intensity that comes with it. The faith that receives Christ so tightly clings to its object that it is likened to a tree whose roots are, not loose in the ground (like a weed), but “firm” in the ground (like an oak). Historically, the verb has not been used only in an horticultural way. Lucas points out that “the word ‘rooted’ was also used in his [Paul’s] day for sinking the foundations of buildings…” For me, this does not change the meaning of the verb, but rather serves to shed more light upon it. Whether it be a tree or a building, the importance of having both firm roots and a firm foundation cannot be overemphasized.

and [continuing] to be built up (present, middle, participle, nmp). This verb is naturally related to the previous one. If a tree has its roots firm in the ground, then we expect a decent amount of growth. A farmer hardly takes so much care in planting his seed in the best soil for the sake of having it die their. No. He wants to see it grow and bear fruit (1:6, 10). Similarly a builder hardly goes through the pains of laying a solid foundation only to have it sit there with nothing built upon it. Christians are to be firmly rooted in Christ in order that they might continue (present participle) to be build up in him. The verb expresses something being built (oikodomevw) upon (e∆p-) something else. It would therefore not be wrong to say that the Colossian church was to continue to live in Christ Jesus the Lord, by remaining firmly rooted [by faith] in Him, and by continuing to be built up upon Him [upon the foundation that was laid by the apostles and Epaphras’ teaching] – that is, upon Christ as he was presented in the gospel.

In Him. This prepositional phrase is governed by the previous two participles (Moo, 180). It also serves to show the relation of the two participles with the previous verb (to walk) which is also modified by the phrase. One walks out the Christian life “in Him” by remaining rooted and continuing to be built up “in Him.” All of the Christian life, from start to finish is in Him.

And Being established (present, middle, participle nmp). “And” is epexegetical – that is, it expands on the meaning of the previous words (O’Brien). The word “establish” is to be preferred over “strengthen” b/c it brings out the basic meaning of the word group: “firm” or “solidly grounded” (Moo, 181). This participle along with the prepositional phrase (th≥: pi√stei- “in the faith”) that follows, summarizes what Paul expects to happen as a result of the first two participles. By sticking to their roots and being built up, the readers will be established in faith (O’Brien). Because the main verb “to receive,” has the person of Christ as its object, we remember that there is a more technical sense in which the verb is here being used. It is receiving Christ as he comes in the tradition or “in the faith.” I prefer this rendering as it works well with the both the preceding context (as just shown) and also with what follows – “just as you were taught.” The Colossians received Christ in the “word of truth – the gospel” (1:5), which they learned from Epaphras (1:7); who had himself learned from Paul the apostle. This connotates a “tradition” that has been passed down.

In the faith. The people are to be established in the faith. It is of the greatest importance to understand what is being said here. The expression has an immediate cross-reference that gives us some insight. Some have made much of being established in the instrument itself and not its object. This verse serves to correct the common error. O’Brien comments (and I wholeheartedly agree), “it is better to understand “faith” as that which is the object of belief, the content of the teaching which Epaphras had faithfully passed on to them.” It would go against the meaning of this passage therefore to be established in faith/belief itself. Simply put, we are not to have faith in faith, but faith in Christ.

As you were taught (aorist, passive, indicative, 2pl). This is a parenthetical interruption, that serves to qualify the previous phrase th≥: pi√stei. It is the tradition that they had received [by learning] from Epaphras. We can draw a few conclusions here: 1) that Paul affirms that which Epaphras taught them; this being a further witness to his faithfulness as a minister of the gospel (1:7); 2) the passive verb sheds more light upon the nature of saving faith. We cannot reason ourselves to this mystery (1:27), we can only receive it as a revelatory gift from God; and 3) if the gospel had proved fruitful to the Colossian church; and if the apostle sees fit to spend so much of his life in caring for them, let us be faithful in our proclamation of the same gospel.

When faith is absent (that is, saving belief in Christ, which is beyond the ability of reason to prove) all things seem, to the eye and understanding, to be separate, dependant, and without purpose or meaning. All of life is blurry until the spectacles of the gospel are applied. Then, b/c of Christ and his work on the Cross, all things are seen with proper vision and in the proper context. All things begin to make sense. The diversity of life is now connected to some Unity. Suffering makes sense. Life makes sense and has an eternal purpose. As the Christian continues to walk about the earth with these spectacles on, resolved to never see and make decisions without them, then he is prone to a life of constant reason to “abound with thanksgiving.”

I do not think that “the faith” that they “were taught” was simply the gospel verbally communicated through tradition. If we were to leave it here, I think we would be missing the whole of the passage up to this point. Paul has gone through great lengths to call Epaphras “faithful” (1:7) and to tell them of his own faithful ministry in Christ, through struggling and striving. Paul himself, and Epaphras, have not only communicated the “teaching” of the gospel, but also the “living” of the gospel as well. This is exactly what Paul wants the Colossians to resemble.

Abounding in thanksgiving (present, active, participle, nmp). Thanksgiving is referred to no fewer than six times in the letter (O’Brien). Clearly then Paul is desirous to see the life of faith which abounds with thanksgiving. In 1:12 practice is given in the context of patient endurance, and as the letter as a whole will indicate, it proves a significant offensive measure against the attack of false teaching. As noted in the above paragraph, the life of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ sees all things in relation to him and under his final authoritative control. This alone provides humanity with certainty (firmness in faith); a certainty needed to live this life without wavering and one that is beneficial to the world at large. Imagine living a life with no authority – no standard to ultimately trust but your own. Might soon makes right. If you are not mighty, you life may soon end. Imagine a life where everything is independently random and without purpose or order. This is called chaos – and leads to a life with no hope. And imagine a life where you are responsible for changing yourself. You dedicate yourself to one thing only to find that you do not change. So you devote to another – and another. No change. Same desperation. Now imagine a Life outside of you that has ultimate authority. All things must ultimately submit to and obey him. Imagine this Life has ultimate control, power and a single purpose for all things (even you). And Imagine that this Life has the power and desire to change you and make you his, in love. He can change you from within, by giving you a new heart. And he has the ability to keep you captivated forever. Receive the gospel! He is the Christ Jesus the Lord, who died to pay the penalty for sins committed against God; who now lives and is seated at the seat of ultimate authority; and who now LIVES to make intercession for you and live with you by His Spirit! By faith receive Him and abound with thanksgiving! Embrace this mystery and find yourself no longer subject to uncertainty and doubt – and find common and ample opportunity to overflow with gratitude to God for doing this work in you!

Only those who remain and continue in their work make any difference in the world whatsoever. But those who simply begin and soon forfeit, only to move onto the next “thing” make no difference. How often are we frustrated by starting and not finishing! How often is the Christian church ridiculed for claiming Christ but not living accordingly. This is that with which Paul is concerned. Only those who remain, continue and finish will be saved (1:22-23).