15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 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[g] 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— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move 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.
Colossians is a letter that was written by Paul (and Timothy) to the people of Colossae. Click here to see where it fits in the timeline of the Bible. At the bottom of the page is a map of Colossae and the surrounding area.
The main themes in this book:
Jesus is supreme and sufficient, over all things and all people. Paul reminds us to fix our eyes on Jesus and to remember who we are because of Christ.
Colossians 1:15-23
In v15-23, Paul lists who Jesus is and what Jesus has done.
In v15-23, Paul lists who Jesus is and what Jesus has done.
Colossians 1:15-23
Ch 1:14-23, Main message from this study:
In v15-23, Paul lists who Jesus is and what Jesus has done.
Image of the invisible God (v15)
Firstborn over all creation (v15)
In him, all things were created – everything (v16)
He is before all things (v17)
He holds everything together (v17)
Head of the body, the church (v18)
The beginning and firstborn from among the dead (v18)
Image of the invisible God (v15)
Firstborn over all creation (v15)
In him, all things were created – everything (v16)
He is before all things (v17)
He holds everything together (v17)
Head of the body, the church (v18)
The beginning and firstborn from among the dead (v18)
Paul repeats the word “all” a lot! He does this to show that Jesus is supreme over everything. He is the best of the best, the one who rules over everything. Nothing is more powerful than he is, nothing was made without him, nothing is before him and nothing isn’t held together without him doing so. Jesus is 100% God and because of him, everything in all of creation can be reconciled through him.
We were alienated and enemies because of our evil behaviour v21. Our evil behaviour stopped us from being friends and family to God. We couldn’t be in God’s presence because of our evil behaviour.
Because we have been reconciled through Christ. We are now holy in his sight v22.
In v15-23, Paul lists who Jesus is and what Jesus has done.
Image of the invisible God (v15)
Firstborn over all creation (v15)
In him, all things were created – everything (v16)
He is before all things (v17)
He holds everything together (v17)
Head of the body, the church (v18)
Paul repeats the word “all” a lot! He does this to show that Jesus is supreme over everything. He is the best of the best, the one who rules over everything. Nothing is more powerful than he is, nothing was made without him, nothing is before him and nothing isn’t held together without him doing so. Jesus is 100% God and because of him, everything in all of creation can be reconciled through him.
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” = Jesus is fully God
“and through him to reconcile to himself all things” = through Jesus, we can be reconciled to the Father
“by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” = Jesus died on the cross for our sins, so now we can be reconciled to God. Read Mark 15:21-39,
Paul speaks in past tense to describe our old state. We were once unable to be in the presence of God. We weren’t just … we were enemies. It’s a serious position to be in. We were like this because of our evil behaviour.
5. Verse 22 starts with the words but now. What is the difference between our state/position in verse 21 and verse 22-23?
Our alienation from God has been overcome, and our status in God’s eyes has changed because of Christs death. We can know peace because of Christ.
