Rooted in Christ (Colossians 2:1-15)
Have you ever felt unsure about your faith—like you don’t know enough, or maybe you’re missing something? In Colossians 2:1–15, the Apostle Paul writes to people feeling just like that. He reminds them (and us) that everything we truly need is found in Jesus.
Let’s take a closer look.
You’re Not Alone—Paul Cares Deeply
Paul starts by telling the believers in Colossae and nearby cities that he’s been struggling for them, even though he’s never met them in person. His goal? He wants their hearts to be encouraged and united in love. Why?
Because when we come together in love and understanding, we grow stronger in faith. Paul says he wants them to be fully confident in what they believe—especially in knowing Christ.
Christ Is the Treasure
Paul reminds them that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. That means we don’t need to chase after strange teachings or add anything to our faith. Jesus is enough. He says:
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him.”
(Colossians 2:6)
Paul compares this life of faith to a plant:
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Be rooted in Jesus—draw your strength from Him.
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Be built up—let your life grow stronger with Him as the foundation.
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Be thankful—remember what He’s done for you.
Don’t Be Fooled
Paul warns the church not to be tricked by empty ideas or human traditions that aren’t based on Christ. Some people in that time were trying to add rules, rituals, or deep-sounding ideas that distracted people from the truth.
He reminds them (and us):
“In Christ all the fullness of God lives in a human body.”
(Colossians 2:9)
In other words, Jesus isn’t just a wise teacher or prophet—He is fully God in human form. And if you belong to Him, you have everything you need.
You’ve Been Made New
Paul uses a few powerful pictures to show what happens when we come to Jesus:
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We were once spiritually dead because of sin.
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But God made us alive with Christ!
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Our sins have been forgiven—completely wiped away.
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The record of our wrongs has been nailed to the cross with Jesus.
It’s like God took a long list of everything we’ve ever done wrong, canceled the debt, and threw it away for good. That’s the power of the cross!
Final Thoughts
Colossians 2:1–15 is a beautiful reminder that:
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You don’t need to look anywhere else—Jesus is enough.
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Stay rooted in Him and grow in thankfulness.
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Don’t let anyone convince you that you’re missing something.
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You’ve been made new and forgiven through Jesus.
So when doubts creep in, or when others try to add confusion to your faith, come back to this truth: Jesus is everything. If you’re holding onto Him, you have all you need.
Stay rooted. Stay thankful. Stay focused on Christ.
Colossians 2:1-15 (WEB)
2:1 For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. 4 Now I say this that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.6 As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.8 Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elemental spirits of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily, 10 and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us. He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. 15 Having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.