• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

Building On Foundations

Text: Colossians 2:7

How do we withstand assaults on our faith? The apostle Paul gave an apt word of encouragement to the Colossian believers.

“Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith,
as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2:7

1. Deference to the Greek New Testament

a) We would need to defer to the Greek New Testament when we read this text.

b) The first word “rooted” has to be carefully distinguished from the other words.

2. “Rooted”

a) This word was written as a Perfect Passive Participle.

b) It is therefore a reference to action that had already been done.

c) The significance of the Perfect Tense is its impact on the Present set of circumstances.

3. “Built up… and established”

a) Both of these words are in the Present Tense.

b) Both are Present Passive Participles.

c) The focus is on the on-going work being done.

i) The Colossians were being built up.

ii) They were being established.

4. The significance of the Passive Voice

a) The Colossians were the recipients.

b) The focus is on the work being done for them.

i) They had been rooted (Perfect Passive Participle).

A completed piece of work that continued to have present consequences!

ii) They were being built up (Present Passive Participle).

A present on-going work!

iii) They were being established (Present Passive Participle).

A present on-going work!

c) It does not mean that the Colossians were doing nothing.

d) They were the blessed recipients of the work of Epaphras and others who were teaching the Colossians.