Colossians 1:15-23 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Colossians 1:15-23. Let’s go!
Colossians 1:15a (NIV)
15 He is the image of the invisible God…
On verse 15a: If you want to know what God, who is invisible, looks like, all you have to do is look at Jesus. He is the image of the invisible God.
Colossians 1:15b (NIV)
15 He is …the firstborn over all creation.
On verse 15b: Jehovah’s Witnesses and other cults teach that Jesus was created by God. They use this verse and in particular the word translated “firstborn” to support that teaching. However, by “firstborn” Paul does not mean that Jesus was created. Rather it’s talking about Jesus’ importance in relation to all of creation — how He is superior to, and has special rights and authority over, all of creation. As Pastor Jon Courson says, “[t]he Greek word prototokos, translated “firstborn,” doesn’t speak of chronology but of priority” (Courson, Jon. Jon Courson’s Application Commentary – Jon Courson’s Application Commentary New Testament. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book).
Colossians 1:16 (NIV)
16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
On verse 16: This verse clarifies further that Jesus was not the first created being, but was the Creator. All things were created by Him and for Him, Paul says. That’s why Jesus could still a storm, walk on water, heal sickness and multiply food at a command. It’s because Jesus is the Creator, the sovereign over all creation.
Also, when it says, “all things were created by Him and for Him“, it’s a reminder that God doesn’t exist for us, but we exist for God. We were created by Jesus for Jesus — for His glory and His purposes. All the things you have in your life — your relationships, your money, your time, your talents, your dreams — are ultimately for Jesus and His glory.
Colossians 1:17a (NIV)
17 He is before all things…
On verse 17a: In other words, Jesus already existed before anything was created. As Jesus once said, “Before Abraham was, I AM!” (John 8:58).
Colossians 1:17b (NIV)
17 …and in him all things hold together.
On verse 17b: Not only did Jesus create all things, but He’s the one who sustains all things, holding all things together. Jesus is not only your creator. He’s also your sustainer.
Colossians 1:18a (NIV)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church…
On verse 18a: Those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Saviour and King are the church. Over and over the New Testament describes the church as a body of which Jesus Christ is the head, the leader, the commander and authority.
Colossians 1:18b (NIV)
18 …he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead…
On verse 18b: In the New Testament, Lazarus died and was raised to life. In the Old Testament, a dead widow’s son was brought back to life. But they all died again. Jesus is the first one who died, was brought back to life and has never died again. In this way, He is “the firstborn from among the dead”, so that even in matters like death and resurrection, Jesus is way ahead of all of us.
Colossians 1:18c (NIV)
18 …so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
On verse 18c: That’s God’s plan for your life as well: that in every matter of your life, Jesus would be supreme and glorified. So when you’re doing something as ordinary as driving, or sitting on the subway, be praising Jesus. When you’re interacting with others, look for opportunities to lead them to Jesus. When you’re working away, thank Jesus that you have work to do. When you’re playing your favourite sport, thank Jesus for the opportunity to do it. In everything, give Jesus the supremacy.
Colossians 1:19 (NIV)
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
On verse 19: In other words, God was happy to become a human. Jesus was not a man who was elevated to the status of God. Jesus was God taking on human flesh. All of God’s fullness dwells in Jesus.
Colossians 1:20-22 (NIV)
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation–
On verses 20-22: The word “reconcile” comes up twice in these verses. To “reconcile” means to bring peace and agreement between two fighting parties. That’s what Jesus did through His shed blood on the cross. When we were enemies of God and separated from Him because of our sin, when we owed God a debt we could not pay, Jesus paid for that debt with His life, making it possible for us to be forgiven and reconciled to God.
Now, because of Jesus, we are holy in God’s sight, without blemish and free from accusation. Praise God!
Colossians 1:23 (NIV)
23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
On verse 23: Remember that Paul is talking to Christians in Colosse who were tempted to leave their faith in Christ in pursuit of a new religion that blended ideas from different religions and that removed the importance of Christ and His shed blood. So Paul takes the opportunity to tell the Colossian church to continue in their faith, established and firm, not moving from the hope of the gospel, which is Jesus. Paul reminds them that this is the gospel the Colossians had originally heard (from their pastor Epaphras), the same gospel which is being proclaimed to every creature in heaven and one that Paul had dedicated his entire life to preaching.
May we never move from the hope we have in Jesus Christ. No matter how many other ideas may be conveyed around you, always hang on to Jesus. Let Jesus be supreme over all things and all ideas that may fill your mind.
Lord Jesus, there is none like You. You are God (v15), Creator (v16), supreme over all creation, the One who existed before anything else, sustainer (v17), the head of the church, the first one to ever rise from the dead and never to die again (v18). You are God in the flesh (v19), our reconciler (v20-22), our hero and king. May we never move from the hope we have in You. May You always reign supreme in every part of our lives. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
