Colossians 1:23 Explained

"If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;" — Colossians 1:23 (KJV)

A conditional clause attached to one of the New Testament's grandest promises, and the two are meant to be read together.

Read it in context: The Book of Colossians. Also gathered under verses about perseverance.

Colossians 1:23 in context

What does Colossians 1:23 mean?

The two words are architectural. 'Grounded' is a foundation term — laid on something. 'Settled' means seated, immovable. Both are passive: it is not a demand for effort but a description of a state. And 'be not moved away' names the actual danger in Colossae, which was not collapse but drift toward a more impressive teaching.

What is the context of Colossians 1:23?

Paul has just described the Colossians as reconciled, holy and unblameable in God's sight. Verse 23 opens with 'if', which has caused two thousand years of argument. The letter is written against teachers offering something beyond Christ.

How do I pray Colossians 1:23?

Pray it about drift rather than about doubt — the verse is not addressed to people losing their faith but to people being offered an upgrade. Ask what has been quietly pulling. Then take 'grounded and settled' as something to be given rather than achieved, which is what the grammar says.

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