Within the vast landscape of Scripture, only a select few passages ascend to the elevated summit reached by Colossians 1:15-20. This passage stands as a Christological colossus, encompassing a breadth of insight that is unparalleled in its profound exploration of the infinite excellences embodied in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Crafted in the same era as the Epistle to the Ephesians, approximately around 60-62 AD, Paul’s epistle to the Colossians carries a crucial mission: to recalibrate their worldview with Christ at its core. This article aspires to rekindle our deep reverence for the majestic Son of God, Jesus. Its objective is to realign our cosmic perspective by depicting Christ as both the source and culmination of all existence. To achieve this, we embark on an exploration, delving into the profound mysteries unveiled in Christ— intricately woven into the Christological masterpiece that is Colossians 1:15-20.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:15-20
Jesus is the image of the invisible God
This passage opens with a resounding proclamation, akin to a thunderous clarion call, asserting the profound truth that Jesus stands as the tangible manifestation of the invisible God (John 4:24). In this luminous revelation, the divine nature is unveiled and made accessible to humanity through His physical presence among us. As John’s Gospel declares, ‘No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known‘ (John 1:18). Through the life, teachings, and actions of Jesus, a profound and meaningful understanding of God’s character and essence becomes available to us. Jesus Himself reinforces this truth by declaring, ‘I am in the Father, and the Father is in me‘ (John 14:11).
It is paramount to acknowledge that while humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), it is in Jesus Christ that this divine image finds its ultimate and unparalleled expression. He serves as the exact and all-encompassing exposition of the Father. Thus, echoing down the annals of time are the profound words of Christ: ‘Whoever has seen me has seen the Father‘ (John 14:9), a testament to the inextricable unity between the Son and the Father.
He is the firstborn of all creation
The description of Jesus as the “firstborn of all creation” highlights His supreme rank and exalted status. He occupies the highest authority and holds a position of unparalleled privilege. In this exalted role, He surpasses all other authorities and offices. This designation draws a parallel with Exodus 4:22, where ancient Israel is referred to as “My firstborn son” by God. This comparison is significant because it underscores how Israel received divine revelations, prophets, laws, and covenants from God, setting them apart from the surrounding Gentile nations who were described as ‘having no hope and without God in the world’ (Ephesians 2:12).
Moreover, this concept establishes that Jesus is not merely a part of creation but its very source. He predates all created things, a truth affirmed by His own words: “Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed” (John 17:5). In this, Jesus’ eternal existence and divine pre-eminence are unmistakably proclaimed.
All things were created by Him
The idea that Jesus is the Creator implies that the universe operates according to a divine order. The laws of physics, mathematics, and the intricate balance observed in nature may be seen as reflections of the intelligent design underlying the creation. The Creator’s imprint is perceived in the harmony and coherence of the natural world.
In the Genesis account, God’s creative command resounds: “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). The divine agency through which this creation unfurled is the Word of God. This aligns seamlessly with the declaration: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2).
Make no mistake, the cosmos we currently inhabit bears the weight of corruption, a consequence of the devastating impact of the Fall. Its repercussions extend far beyond the realm of human depravity, encapsulated in the solemn proclamation, “Cursed is the ground because of you” (Genesis 3:17). However, it is crucial to recognize that the initial design was nothing short of perfection, described as “very good.”
All things were created for Him
Jesus Christ occupies the very heart of all meaning and purpose within this vast universe. The entirety of creation finds its ultimate purpose in the service of Jesus. Each atom, every cell, and every facet of matter exists intrinsically connected to Jesus, the Supreme Ruler. As a result, the twenty-four elders depicted in Revelation 4:11 declare with reverence, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.“
This teaching firmly establishes that the created order is not a disorganized or haphazard realm. Instead, it is an integral part of God’s meticulously crafted and purposeful design, with Jesus as its central figure. This recognition prompts us to grasp the profound significance of Jesus in the grand tapestry of creation and compels us to offer unceasing praise and adoration to Him.
He is before all things
Jesus is not a contingent being moulded by the passage of time. Instead, He stands as the timeless and preeminent person, existing before the very unfolding of the cosmos. This foundational truth disrupts and challenges human perceptions, beckoning contemplation on the profound implications of a Saviour whose existence predates the very inception of time itself.
The profound declaration of Jesus in John 8:58, where He states, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am,” resonates with a depth that the Jewish leaders clearly grasped. Their immediate reaction, vividly portrayed in the subsequent verse as they “picked up stones to throw at him,” underscores the gravity of Jesus’ claim—He was asserting a divine existence that transcended human history.
In Him, all things hold together
The fact that matter itself does not fall apart at any given moment rest solely of the superintendence and sustaining work of Jesus Christ who “upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Hebrews 1:3). In Jesus, all elements of the cosmos find cohesion and coherence. It speaks to the intricate dance of galaxies, the delicate balance of ecosystems, and the harmonious orchestration of the smallest subatomic particles—all sustained by the authoritative word of Christ.
This reality goes beyond a passive preservation; rather this operation is a dynamic involvement, signifying His continuous engagement in maintaining the cosmic order. This profound insight challenges prevailing world views that might attribute the order in the universe to random chance or impersonal forces. Instead, it points to a purposeful and intentional design, with Jesus at the epicentre, holding together the cosmos in perfect unity.
He is the head of the body, the church
Jesus declared, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18), a promise resonating across two millennia. His assurance, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20), unfolds as the dynamic realization of His enduring presence in the narrative of His church. Christ’s headship transcends organizational hierarchy; it embodies unity, guidance, and authority.
The implications of Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church are vast and sweeping, touching every aspect of faith and life. It encompasses Absolute Authority (John 14:6), where He is the way, the truth, and the life; Executive Orders (Matthew 28:18-20), as He commissions disciples to make more disciples; Moral and Ethical Standard (1 Peter 2:18-25), serving as the perfect example of humility and obedience; Leadership Model (Philippians 2:5-8), showcasing selfless servanthood; Dependency on Prayer (John 14:13), emphasizing communion with the Father; Chief Disciple-Maker (John 13:34-35), exemplifying love as the essence of discipleship; Founder (Hebrews 12:2), the origin and perfecter of faith; and Eternal Life (John 11:25-26), offering the assurance of life beyond the temporal.
The profound implications of Christ’s headship resonate into perpetuity, offering the church redemption, identity, purpose, and an unwavering foundation in the leadership of Jesus Christ, the singular Head.
He is the beginning
This profound declaration opens a gateway into the theological richness surrounding Jesus as “the beginning.” Rooted in scriptural foundations like Revelation 22:13, where He declares Himself as “the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End,” this concept transcends mere chronological origin. It unveils a mosaic of significance that stretches across the divine narrative, exploring Jesus’ role not only as the starting point but as the eternal origin and source of all things.
As Christians, this truth that Jesus is the beginning holds immense significance. He is the foundation of our faith, serving as the starting point and cornerstone as we construct our lives on the unshakable ground of Christ. His redemptive work on the cross provides forgiveness, offering us the opportunity for a fresh start. His lordship shapes our actions, thoughts, relationships, and pursuits, drawing strength and wisdom from Him. He grants us an eternal perspective and the confidence to endure until the end. With Christ as the beginning, we approach our time, talents, and resources with the understanding that they all find their origin in Him.
He is the firstborn from the dead
This theological concept stands as a cornerstone, emphasising not only the historicity of Jesus’ victory over death but also unravelling the intricate design of hope and redemption established through His resurrection. In John 11:25-26, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” This question resonates today, challenging us: Do we truly believe in this transformative promise? Jesus’ resurrection stands apart, marking a pivotal victory over death, substantiating the claims He made about Himself, the nature of God, and the entirety of His teachings.
As the firstborn from the dead, Jesus is the herald of Resurrection Life for all who believe, instilling in them the promise of the life to come. The ripple effect of His resurrection echoes through time, granting us hope that endures beyond the grasp of mortality.
In Him, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell
Jesus Christ is not a person who became God; rather, the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation reveals that God, in His infinite grace, took on flesh, dwelling among humanity. This divine act transcends the notion of adoption, as God the Father did not bestow sonship upon Jesus; rather, our understanding of the Father is illuminated through the eternal Sonship of Jesus. It is not a division of nature but a profound union—Jesus is not a composite of half-God and half-Man, but rather fully divine and fully human, yet without the stain of sin.
In exploring the essence of Jesus’ divinity, we find that whatever is inherently true of the Father is equally true of the Son in essence. This truth doesn’t diminish the genuine distinction between the personhood of the Father and the Son; instead, it establishes the intricate unity within the Godhead. In this divine coexistence of distinctions and unity, we encounter the essence of monotheism—there is one God.
The richness of this theological truth becomes evident when we contemplate the majestic glory that we, as finite creatures, recognise as belonging to God. In its entirety, this unfathomable majesty belongs to Jesus, the Son of God. He is not a diminished reflection but the full embodiment of divine glory. Every attribute, every aspect of the divine nature that we comprehend as majestic and glorious finds its complete expression in Jesus.
Through Him, all things are reconciled
Reconciliation, achieved through Jesus’ death and resurrection, reconnects believers with God, offering communion with the Creator and genuine peace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ’s redemptive impact extends beyond individual salvation, triumphing over sin (1 Corinthians 15:57) and defeating death (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
Freedom from religious legalism (Galatians 5:1) is realized through Christ’s grace, empowering the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) to mend the broken relationship and restore communion with God. Unity with Christ (Galatians 3:28) transcends boundaries, liberating believers from sin’s consequences (Romans 8:1-2) and establishing a new identity. Eternal hope (1 Peter 1:3) and empowerment for Christian living (Philippians 4:13) arise from believers’ union with Christ. In the face of adversity, hope becomes a steadfast anchor (Romans 8:28), revealing the transformative and enduring impact of Christ’s redemptive power on every aspect of existence.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, Colossians 1:15-20 presents a panoramic view of the supremacy of Christ that transcends the boundaries of time, space, and theological understanding, revealing the profound nature of the Lord Jesus Christ in His role as the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of all things.
