Bible Study on Colossians 2:6-7 (Be Rooted in The Faith)
Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude. (CSB)
Welcome to the Bible Study Guide for Colossians 2:6-7, which leverages questions from the CHARA Bible Study Guide when studying this verse. Below are the questions the Chara team chose to ask, in the order they chose to ask them, but feel free to use other questions or change up the order as you dive into this passage. For ANSWERS from the Chara team on these questions, check out the video below.
RESEARCH
Observations & Questions: What observations or questions do you have when you read Colossians 2:6-7?
As we begin, keep in mind the Key Principle: The Bible was not written to us, but for us. Colossians 2:6-7 highlights why this Bible study principle is important. Repeated in these verses is the instruction to continue in what you have received and what you were taught in Christ Jesus. But, remember, the author wasn’t talking to us! He was talking to the believers in Colossae about 2000 years ago. Which means we need to figure out what they were taught about faith in Christ.
What risk might there be if everyone assumed Colossians 2:6-7 was written to them specifically?
HISTORY
Who was it written to? How does the Bible describe them? Read Colossians 1:1-8, 21-23. What can you learn about the believers in Colossae and the faith they had been taught?
AUTHOR
Patterns: What is highlighted through the use of repetition and other patterns? Why do you think the author, Paul, repeatedly stressed just one faith? What does that tell you about what may have been happening in Colossae?
THE hope (1:5, 23)
THE word of truth (1:5)
THE gospel (1:5, 23)
THE faith (1:23, 2:7)
Purpose/Point: What was the author’s purpose, why was it written, and what insight does it provide into the passage? Read Colossians 1:23-2:5. What does Paul say he is a servant/minister of (1:23-29)? What was his purpose (2:1-5)?
HISTORY
What worldview, cultural, religious, political factors and experiences were a part of their world and how did that influence them? Now let’s dive further into chapter 2 and see if we can learn more about what was going on in Colossae. There are two ways we like to do this: 1) from biblical resources, and 2) from the text itself (context).
1. Resources: What insights do you learn from Biblical scholars provided in Study Bibles, commentaries, and credible online resources? From a couple of our favorite Bible commentaries (listed below), we learned that Colossae:
had a large Jewish population, but the church was predominantly Gentile
was on a trade route about 100 miles inland from Ephesus and was a meeting point between East and West
had a constant influx of new philosophy from the East invading the church
The Bible Exposition Commentary, by Warren W. Wiersbe - Wiersbe described the beliefs infiltrating the Colossian church as, “It was a combination of Eastern philosophy and Jewish legalism, with elements of what Bible scholars call gnosticism (NOS-ti-cism). This term comes from the Greek word gnosis (KNOW-sis), which means ‘to know.’ (An agnostic is one who does not know.) The gnostics were the people who were ‘in the know’ when it came to the deep things of God. They were the ‘spiritual aristocracy’ in the church. To begin with, this heresy promised people such close union with God that they would achieve ‘spiritual perfection.’ Spiritual fullness could be theirs only if they entered into the teachings and ceremonies prescribed. There was also a ‘full knowledge,’ a spiritual depth, that only the initiated could enjoy. This ‘wisdom’ would release them from earthly things and put them in touch with heavenly things.”
The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck - “The circumstance which prompted the writing of Colossians seemed to be the special heresy that arose there. This false teaching seemed to be the beginning of what later (in the second century) developed into Gnosticism. It contained several characteristics. (1) It was Jewish, stressing the need for observing Old Testament laws and ceremonies. (2) It was philosophical, laying emphasis on some special or deeper knowledge (gnosis). (3) it involved the worship of angels as mediators to God (2:18). (4) It was exclusivistic, stressing the special privilege and “perfection” of those select few who belonged to this philosophical elite. (5) It was also Christological. But this seminal Gnosticism denied the deity of Christ, thus calling forth one of the greatest declarations of Christ’s deity found anywhere in Scripture (1:15-16; 2:9).”
2. The Text (Context): Read the rest of chapter 2 (verses 6-23). Do you see elements of what these commentaries are describing? (Hint: the following question will help guide you through chapter 2)
AUTHOR
Style: What instruction was given and what prompted it? There’s a reason Paul warns the Colossians of false teachings. As you use the guide below, consider why Paul would’ve given them that instruction. And make sure to note where he instructs them to focus their faith instead.
Colossians 2:8
What instruction was given and why? What is the significance of what Paul states immediately after in 2:9-10 and earlier in 1:15-20, and why do you think he feels the need to declare this? (Hint: Gnosticism did not believe that Christ was God, nor that Christ was human)
Colossians 2:16-17 (see also 2:20-23)
What instruction was given and why? (Hint: Here’s where we see Jewish laws and traditions thrown into this melting pot of philosophy. Gnostic legalism taught that following the rules helped you become more spiritual. In contrast, Paul said to be on guard against teachings that required obedience to Old Testament law or man-made rules surrounding things like food, drink, and the Sabbath. Notice how Col 2:17 and Hebrews 10:1 describe these.)
Colossians 2:18-19
What instruction was given and why? (Hint: Try looking at several Bible translations as well as study Bible notes on Col 2:18). Why do you think Paul makes a point to say that Christ is “head over every ruler and authority” (2:10), and “in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3)?
APPLY
Reflect & Pray: Lord, what do you want me to learn and how should I apply this to my life? Why was the instruction given in Colossians 2:6-7 so important? What would it look like for you to be rooted, built up and established in the faith?
Join the Chara Project team as they study Colossians 2:6-7 and see their ANSWERS to the questions asked from the CHARA Bible Study Guide.