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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Col_2:6-7
6Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Col_2:6 "as you therefore have received Christ" The verb used here (paralambanô, aorist active indicative) has two connotations.
1. the welcoming of a person (cf. Mat_1:20; Joh_1:11; Joh_14:3
2. the receiving of "tradition" (cf. 1Co_11:23; 1Co_15:1; 1Co_15:3; Gal_1:9; Gal_1:12; Php_4:9; 1Th_2:13; 1Th_4:1; 2Th_3:6)
The Colossians heard the content of the gospel through Epaphras' preaching; then they personally welcomed the Person of the gospel (Joh_1:12). Biblical faith is a covenant. God sets the agenda and makes the first contact (cf. Joh_6:44; Joh_6:65), but individuals must respond by repentance, faith, obedience, and perseverance (Col_2:6)! The false teachers' message distorted the theology of both the content and the Person of the gospel.
▣ "Christ Jesus the Lord" "Jesus is Lord" was the early church's public profession of faith at baptism (cf. Rom_10:9-13; 1Co_12:3; 2Co_4:5; Php_2:11). It was an affirmation that Jesus of Nazareth is the OT Messiah and incarnation of Deity (cf. Php_2:6-11).
▣ "so walk in Him" This is a present active imperative. Christianity is not a theological creed only; it is also a lifestyle of faith ("walk" cf. Col_1:10; Eph_4:1; Eph_4:17; Eph_5:2; Eph_5:15). Salvation is not a product believers possess but a person who possesses them! Paul here focuses on the personal aspect of the Christian faith as does the Gospel of John (cf. Joh_1:12; Joh_3:16; Joh_6:40; Joh_11:25-26).
Col_2:7 This verse contains four participles (used as imperatives) which describe the worthy walk (cf. Col_2:6):
1. "having been firmly rooted" This is perfect passive which is an accomplished state of being produced by God. This agricultural metaphorical expression was unique to Col. and Eph.(cf. Col_3:17).
2. "being built up in Him" This is present passive which is an ongoing process produced by God. Paul often used this construction metaphor to describe the people of God (cf. 1Co_3:5; Eph_2:20; Eph_2:22). It might refer to the saints as a temple (individually, 1Co_6:19 and corporately, 1Co_3:16).
3. "established in your faith" This is another present passive which is an ongoing process produced by God. The noun ("confirmation") is found in Php_1:7; and Heb_6:16. The verb implies "to confirm" (cf. 1Co_1:6; 1Co_1:8; 2Co_1:21), "to strengthen," and "to verify" often by argument (cf. Rom_15:8, 1Co_1:8).
The phrase "in your faith" can be understood as (1) subjective faith, trusting in Christ or (2) objective faith, the doctrines about Christ (cf. Jud_1:3; Jud_1:20).
4. "overflowing with gratitude" This is a present active which is an ongoing process produced by God. The Christian life is a life of thanksgiving to God for His grace in Christ. This is expressed by joyful obedience and perseverance! To know the gospel is to rejoice with inexpressible joy (cf. Col_1:12) and to live appropriately (cf. Col_1:10-11) with thanksgiving (cf. Col_3:17). See Special Topic: Abound (Perisseuô) at Eph_1:8.