… rooted and built up in him …
Summary: As Paul continues his thought about living our lives in Christ, he leans on metaphors that have a rich history in the Bible.
Paul is writing about the Christian life. He begins by saying, “just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him…” And then he adds, “rooted and built up in him.”
Essentially, Paul is mixing metaphors here. To be “rooted” is a reference to a metaphor used to describe life in Christ as being part of a plant (John 15:1-8). All plants have roots. It is the root that anchors the plant in the soil while at the same time pulling life-giving water and nutrients from the soil.
Paul’s other metaphor is to be “built up.” Being “built up” is an allusion to the construction of a building. It assumes that a foundation exists and describes the process of construction from there. As you know, buildings are not built from the top down, they have to be “built up.” A good foundation is essential for a good building.
Both concepts are well understood and can be applied to people. A person’s character can be “torn down” by others or “built up.” We can also tear down our own reputations or build them up by how we choose to act.
To receive Jesus as Lord is to be bound to him for our sustenance (rooted) and, at the same time, “built up” by Jesus as he shapes us into a reflection of himself.
So how do we tell if we are “rooted and built up in him?” Jesus used the metaphor of trees in his teaching as did John the Baptist. John warned the Pharisees and Sadducees that “every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:7-10).
Jesus taught that the difference between good and bad prophets is their fruit. He says, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:18).
In both situations, the “trees” appear to be normal. Even to the point of both having produced “fruit.” The ultimate test is in the fruit itself.
What do we look for?
Paul explains this in his letter to the Galatians. He writes, “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5: 22-23). To be “built up” in Christ is to be built up in good fruit!
Application: Build wisely, grow deep roots.
Food for Thought: How do we “build up” in Jesus?
Please click ‘’Continue Reading” for comments.
Continue reading “Colossians 2:7a – Roots & Fruit”