Colossians 1:15-23
In the first chapter of Colossians Paul gives an extensive description of Christ. Paul, nowhere else in his epistles, describes Christ in such an extensive manner. It is apparent that the Apostle was addressing the influence of false teaching (see Col. 2:4) in the church at Colossae. False doctrine cannot prevail within the church when the focus is upon Christ and Christ alone. This epistle has been preserved as scripture such that individual believers may stand against the enticing words of them who compromise and oppose God’s truth.
In verse 15, Jesus is described as the image of the invisible God. The literal image of something invisible would be invisible. Jesus walked upon the earth and was (and is) visible. It is through Christ (the visible) that we see God the Father (the invisible). In Christ —in His conduct and His actions— we are able to see the will and character of God the Father.
Jesus is described as the first-born of every creature. The first-born ranks ahead of all who are of subsequent birth. To be the first-born of every creature means that Jesus holds rank above every creature. There is no creature created before Him — He is before creation. Jesus is the visible image of God who is before all that exists.
Jesus is the visible image of “I AM.” All things which are in heaven and in earth were created by Him (v. 16). All is an inclusive word. There is no exception. All includes all that is visible and all that is invisible — both the tangible and the intangible. The intangible created by Him include all ruling authority, powers, and dominions of power and authority. Authority, power, and dominion, while invisible, affect tangible things which can be seen, but are, themselves, intangible.
Many in secular science hold the world view that there is no supernatural and that everything which we observe is the result of mindless evolution. Verse 16 says something much different. It states that the pre-existent Son created all for Himself. The Son created that which was good (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31).
Man’s understanding of God’s creation has dramatically increased in the last century. That this should happen was foretold by the prophet Daniel (Dan. 12:4). God is not the author of confusion. Evolution of the species and evolution of the universe itself are the mindful constructions of man who was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27).
The message that Paul has for the Colossians is that Christ and Christ alone is before all things (v. 17). Nothing can exist without Him. Paul’s message to the church of today is the same. Christ is the head of the church. The church is a new creation consisting of all who have been born from the dead. Paul described Christ as the first-born of every creature in verse 15, but in verse 18, Jesus is described as the first-born from the dead. Christ is head of both the original creation which He spoke into existence and the new creation which He brought into existence by overcoming the grave. He is preeminent over the church because the church consists of all who have been born (made alive) from the dead through Him.
“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell” (v. 19). The problems within the church at Colossae that were cause for Paul to pen this epistle centered upon the failure of believers to hold Christ in His rightful position. God the Father has placed Him above all things. This verse clearly states that it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell in Him (Christ). Focus upon that word “all”. It is impossible to separate the Father and the Son. The only means by which all fullness can be in Christ is that His fullness (His deity) is the same as that of God the Father — the fullness of the invisible and of visible image of the invisible is a single fullness. Christ is to be preeminent because He is God. He is God of all authority, all power, and all dominion.
Verse 20 lists an additional reason why Christ is to be held preeminent. He earned His preeminence. By His blood upon the cross He has reconciled all things unto Himself. His shed blood has reconciled all things in earth and all things in heaven. His shed blood is a physical representation of the Father’s love. All things, both physical and spiritual, in all places, have been reconciled by the blood of the Lamb. There is one reconciliation and it encompasses both earth and heaven.
In the closing verses, Paul states the purpose for which Christ reconciled the Colossians (and us). We shall be presented holy, unblamable, and unreprovable to Him by Him. We are to be presented as He is. The gospel is to be realized in us. The gospel cannot be realized in them who turn from the truth (those who never inwardly believed). The outward walk of a believer testifies inward belief. Christ has done what no man could do. Through Him we have a new relationship with the Father who is in heaven. It is by the blood of Christ, and by His blood alone, that we are reconciled. No other works needed. No intermediary needed.
Praise God the Father for His plan; praise God the Son for His work; and praise God the Spirit for revealing the truth of His word to us. Let us give praise by walking in His way and directing others to the love that is reserved for whosoever shall believe.
