Devine Scripture

Colossians 2:7

What does Colossians 2:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 2:7 means

Paul pictures believers like trees and buildings—rooted in Christ, being built up in Him, and increasingly established in the faith they were taught. Growth is both organic and structured. Solid teaching stabilizes; ongoing dependence on Christ strengthens. The result is overflowing thankfulness, the natural response of hearts that know they are receiving grace. Gratitude is a sign of health, revealing confidence in God rather than anxiety-driven striving. This verse shows that stability in doctrine and vitality in devotion are not rivals; they belong together. As believers go deeper in Christ, they become sturdier against storms and more joyful in everyday obedience.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Rooted and based together in him, strong in the faith which the teaching gave you, giving praise to God at all times.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

being rooted and built up in him, and confirmed in the faith, as ye were taught--abounding in it in thanksgiving.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Rooted and built up in him and confirmed in the faith, as also you have learned: abounding in him in thanksgiving.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

rooted and built up in him, and assured in the faith, even as ye have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Context

Verse 7 unpacks the call of verse 6 to walk in Christ by using images of rootedness and construction. It emphasizes continuity with the original apostolic teaching and the fruit of thanksgiving. This prepares readers to recognize how alien the coming threats are (verse 8). By contrasting this Christ-centered growth with philosophies based on human tradition, Paul will show why they must reject teachings that do not spring from the same root and foundation.

v.6As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

v.7This passage

v.8Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Colossians 1:12

    giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:18

    in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.

  • Romans 11:17

    But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree;

  • 1 Peter 2:4

    unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious,

  • Colossians 1:23

    if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.

  • Jude 1:20

    But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

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