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Short summary
A meditation on Colossians 2:6–15, calling believers to a deeply rooted, steadily growing life in Christ that expresses itself in obedient walking, putting off the old self, and persevering in faith and gratitude.
Key takeaways
- The Christian life holds together two realities: being “rooted” in Christ like a firmly planted tree and “built up” like a steadily rising structure, so that believers have both stability in truth and ongoing growth in maturity.
- To “walk in Christ” means more than initial belief; it is a whole-life response of obedience to Jesus’ lordship, where faith and obedience are inseparable and every area of life is brought under his rule.
- “Putting off the body of flesh” describes the Spirit-empowered work of sanctification, laying aside the old sinful nature because we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection and have been raised to newness of life.
- Growth in grace is active and persevering: believers must resist empty, man‑centered philosophies, remain attached to Christ, and abound in gratitude as they live out a solid, enduring faith marked by obedience and trust.
Colossians 2:6-15 offers a compelling vision for a life of faith that is both anchored and advancing. The apostle urges believers, “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7). This passage sets before us the necessity of being deeply rooted and continually built up in Christ, and of “putting off the body of flesh” as we pursue a life of obedience.
Rooted and Built Up: Stability and Growth in Christ
The imagery here is striking: to be “rooted” is to have a deep, stable connection, like a tree drawing nourishment from rich soil. This rootedness is not a fleeting experience but an abiding reality, echoing the vision of the righteous in Psalm 1:3 – like trees planted by streams of water, flourishing and unshakable.
Being “built up” shifts the metaphor to construction: our lives are to rise on the solid foundation of Christ, each day adding new strength and structure. This is not a one-time event but an ongoing process, as we are “being built up continually” on the foundation of faith in Jesus. The dual imagery underscores that the Christian life requires both stability – anchored in the truth – and growth, pressing on toward maturity.
Walking in Christ: Faith Expressed in Obedience
Paul’s call is not merely to believe in Christ but to “walk in him” – to let every aspect of life be shaped by his lordship. Receiving Christ means receiving a new master, and the call is to align our lives with his will, giving every facet over to his direction. It is possible to accept the gift of salvation yet resist the demands of obedience, but the apostle insists that faith and obedience are inseparable. As we have received Christ by faith, so we are to live by faith – trusting and obeying him in every circumstance.
Putting Off the Body of Flesh: The Reality of New Life
Colossians 2:11-12 introduces the language of “putting off the body of flesh.” This is not a rejection of our physical bodies, but a call to lay aside the old self – our sinful nature and its desires. Where circumcision once symbolized a partial removal, the work of Christ is total: he calls us to put away the entire “body of flesh,” not just in symbol but in reality. This is the ongoing work of sanctification, as we, by the Spirit, put to death the deeds of the flesh and live as those raised with Christ.
This “putting off” is possible only because we have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection. In baptism, we are buried with him and raised to new life, empowered to live differently. The old patterns no longer define us; we are called to live as new creations, growing in holiness and obedience.
The Necessity of Growth and Perseverance
The Christian life, then, is a call to be rooted deeply in Christ, built up in faith, and continually putting off the old self. This is not a passive experience but an active, ongoing pursuit. The apostle warns against being taken captive by empty philosophies or human traditions; instead, we are to remain attached to Jesus, growing in spiritual maturity and overflowing with thankfulness.
To be rooted and built up in Christ is to find both stability and growth. To put off the body of flesh is to embrace the new life Christ has secured for us. This is the path of a solid, growing faith – a life marked by obedience, gratitude, and ever-deepening trust in the One who has triumphed over sin and death.
“As, by faith, you’ve been given eternal life, so now, by faith, live an obedient life. This is our task. Our assignment in this life. This is what we’re called to do: walk in Christ.”
