Colossians 2: 7 – Being confirmed in the faith

…having been rooted and being built up in Him, and being confirmed in the faith according as you were taught, superabounding in it with thanksgiving.

The metaphors of being rooted and being built up both have a common feature. That is why Paul next writes about “being confirmed.” Something that is confirmed is fixed or tightened. We can understand that Paul places such great emphasis on this against the background of the dangers that threatened the Colossians. There were (what we would call) influencers who tried to draw them away with deceptive philosophy and human traditions (2:8). Paul points out the only effective remedy that immunizes against such influences. His readers would be rooted in Christ Jesus and thus confirmed in the faith.

When we read about “being confirmed in the faith,” Paul always contrasts with works (Rom.4:5; 9:32; Gal.2:16; 3:2; etc.). A law or order requires work. A message, on the other hand, is a statement that a person can only believe (or not). Well, what the Colossians had heard from Epaphras was the Good News and God had opened their hearts to it and that Word bore rich fruit among them (1:5,6). In that Word as they were taught everything is contained (1:25). It’s more than enough!

Delen: