Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Colossians 2:6-7
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The phrase "received Christ Jesus the Lord" isn't just about accepting Jesus, but about embracing Him fully as the promised Messiah and the sovereign Ruler of all. Paul urges them to "walk in Him" with the same completeness, allowing this foundational reception of Christ to shape every aspect of their lives.
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is urging the Colossian believers to remain steadfast in their faith, having just described his deep concern for them and his confidence in their spiritual grounding. He warns them against deceptive teachings that could lead them astray, emphasizing that true wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ alone. Therefore, this verse serves as a pivotal transition, calling them to live out the foundational truth of their faith in Christ, in light of the dangers posed by false doctrines.
You 'received' Christ Jesus the Lord when you first became a believer. But what did that really mean? It was more than just accepting a set of beliefs.
The Bible uses the phrase 'received Christ Jesus the Lord' to describe the moment you put your faith in Him. This wasn't just about agreeing with doctrines or doctrines; it was about embracing Christ Himself as the sum of all Christian teaching.
When the Apostle Paul urged the Colossians to 'walk in Him' as they had 'received Him,' he was highlighting a vital connection between their initial reception and their ongoing life.
The verse doesn't just stop at 'receiving' Christ. It commands us to 'walk' in Him. What's the connection, and why is this continuity so crucial?
The word 'so' in 'so walk in him' is a powerful bridge. It connects the foundational act of receiving Christ to the ongoing reality of living a life shaped by Him.
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Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
The anointed One of God, the promised Messiah who fulfills the Old Testament prophecies, Savior, and King.
kyrios · Greek Noun
The supreme ruler or sovereign; one who has authority, ownership, and lordship over a person's life and the universe.
peripateō · Greek Verb
To live, conduct oneself, or behave in a manner consistent with a specific principle or person. It signifies a continuous, habitual way of life.
pistis · Greek Noun
A state of firm belief, trust, and commitment to the truth revealed by God in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It encompasses both the act of believing and the body of doctrine believed.
The verse is a direct response to the spiritual confusion in Colossae, where teachers were mixing Christian truth with other philosophies. Paul urges believers to stay grounded in their initial reception of Christ, as He alone is the foundation for true Christian living and understanding.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Founding of the Church in Colossae
The Christian faith is established in Colossae, likely through the ministry of Epaphras, a disciple of Christ. This marks the initial reception of Christ Jesus the Lord by the community.
c. AD 50-60
Emergence of False Teachings
Various syncretic and possibly Gnostic or Jewish mystical teachings begin to influence or challenge the core beliefs of the Colossian church. These teachings may have emphasized rituals, angelic worship, or special knowledge.
c. AD 60-62
Paul Writes the Epistle to the Colossians
While likely imprisoned, Paul writes to the church in Colossae. He addresses the troubling currents of false doctrine by reminding them of the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ, whom they initially received.
This passage directly parallels the admonition in Colossians 2:6 by warning against turning to a 'different gospel,' emphasizing the need to stay true to the foundational reception of Christ.
Ephesians 4:14This verse speaks of not being 'tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine,' which strongly echoes the call in Colossians 2:6 to 'walk in Him,' implying a steadfast and unwavering path.
Deuteronomy 5:32-33This Old Testament passage commands the Israelites to 'be careful to do therefore as the LORD your God has commanded you,' connecting the act of receiving divine instruction with the subsequent manner of living, much like receiving Christ and walking in Him.
1 Corinthians 15:1Paul reminds the Corinthians that he has previously declared the gospel, which they 'received' and 'stand by,' highlighting the importance of continuing in the foundational truth they first embraced, similar to 'walking in Christ' after receiving Him.
John 15:4-5Jesus' analogy of the vine and branches illustrates the necessity of abiding in Him for fruitfulness, mirroring the Colossians 2:6 command to 'walk in Him' as the source of life and spiritual growth.
henryColossians 2:1-7: "For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;"
2:1-7 The soul prospers when we have clear knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. When we not only believe with the heart, but are ready, when called, to make confession with the mouth. Knowledge and faith make a soul rich. The stronger our faith, and the warmer our love, the more will our comfort be. The treasures of wisdom are hid…
vincentColossians 2:6: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:"
Ye received (παρελάβετε)By transmission from (παρά) your teachers.Christ Jesus the Lord (τὸν Χριστόν Ἱησοῦν τὸν Κὑριον)The Christ, specially defined by the following words, thus emphasizing the personal Christ rather than the Gospel, because the true doctrine of Christ's person was perverted by the Colossian teachers. The Christ, even Jesus, the Lord.
The phrase "received Christ Jesus the Lord" isn't just about accepting Jesus, but about embracing Him fully as the promised Messiah and the sovereign Ruler of all. Paul urges them to "walk in Him" with the same completeness, allowing this foundational reception of Christ to shape every aspect of their lives.
Paul is urging the Colossian believers to remain steadfast in their faith, having just described his deep concern for them and his confidence in their spiritual grounding. He warns them against deceptive teachings that could lead them astray, emphasizing that true wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ alone. Therefore, this verse serves as a pivotal transition, calling them to live out the foundational truth of their faith in Christ, in light of the dangers posed by false doctrines.
Paul is urging the Colossian believers to remain steadfast in their faith, having just described his deep concern for them and his confidence in their spiritual grounding. He warns them against deceptive teachings that could lead them astray, emphasizing that true wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ alone. Therefore, this verse serves as a pivotal transition, calling them to live out the foundational truth of their faith in Christ, in light of the dangers posed by false doctrines.
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." — The phrase "received Christ Jesus the Lord" isn't just about accepting Jesus, but about embracing Him fully as the promised Messiah and the sovereign Ruler of all. Paul urges them to "walk in Him" wi…
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Last reviewed October 2026