15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 And 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, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

1:15-20: Most commentators have identified these six verses as a Christological hymn (or poem). Scholars list several reasons such as parallelism (15-16: first born of all creation and 18-20: firstborn from the dead), verses 15-20 are set apart from the preceding and following verses, includes concise theological statements about Christ as opposed to longer and complex statements in verses prior to and following 15-20, and its rare usage of some of Paul’s words (Moo, 107-109).  

But what’s the importance of 1:15-20 as a Christological hymn? First, it demonstrates that there was a pattern of “Christ-devotion” (verses 15 and 19 for instance proclaim Jesus’ divine nature) in the early Christian church. 

Second, if it’s a hymn, then we have evidence of early Christians “singing” and “praising” the name of Jesus as God. The earliest Christians worshipped Jesus—something that they (Jewish background) would never do unless given good reason (the resurrection compelled them to reconsider Jesus’ ontological status). 

Third, if Colossians was written in 60 AD., then this hymn (or poem) must be dated even earlier. Skeptics who postulate the idea that Christians added the teaching of Jesus’ divine nature in the late first century or early second century are wrong. 

So, how does this make a difference in our lives? When we read and contemplate the truths of Colossians 1:15-20, we should be moved to worship Jesus because (1) he is divine, (2) he is our creator, (3) all of creation was created for his glory, (4) he is the sustainer of the universe, and (5) he will reconcile everything to himself.  

1:15: While no person has seen God the Father (who is a Spirit: John 4:24), God the Son (who once was a Spirit as the Word: John 1:1) has been revealed in the life of Jesus and has been seen (John 1:14; 14:7). Similar to Hebrews 1:3, which describes Jesus as “the exact imprint of his [God the Father] nature,” Paul teaches in Colossians 1:15 that Jesus “is the image of the invisible God.” (cf. John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:8) 

Being “the firstborn of all creation” (1:15) does not mean that Jesus was not eternal. (Jehovah’s Witnesses, for example believe that Jesus was the first and greatest creation of Jehovah God and through Jesus the world was created.) 

This phrase should be interpreted metaphorically (cf. Exodus 4:32; Psalm 89:27; Jeremiah 31:9). Firstborn testifies to Jesus’ preeminence over creation. Jesus reigns over creation. According to Hawthorne and Wallis, “Christ has certain rights in relation to all creation—priority, preeminence, and sovereignty.” (1849)     

1:16-17: Jesus is the creator of all things (“in heaven and on earth”) including demonic beings (“thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities”) and sustainer of all creation (“in him all things hold together.”) Wright explains the significance: “Through him the world is sustained, prevented from falling into chaos. No creature is autonomous.” (73) Isn’t this ironic? Although no creature is autonomous from Christ the creator, we nevertheless, have chosen to live apart from him.

Creation—every galaxy, planet, star, tree, mountain, ocean, animal, and human being was created “for him.” (1:17) Creation was not created for Jesus as some kind of toy, but rather, it was created by Jesus and for his glory (Psalm 8:1-4; 19:1-6; 96:11-12; 139:14; Romans 1:20). This truth should lead us to worship him with passion, awe, and gratitude. 

1:18: Jesus reigns over the universal body of believers—he is called the “head of the body, the church.” (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22) It’s not the pastor or some church governing board or denomination that has the authority over the Christian community. Rather, it’s Jesus who possesses all the authority over the universal and local church! 

While the emphasis of 1:18 is Jesus’ authority and reign over the Church we may also say that as the “head” of the Church he is also the source of our spiritual nourishment (2:19; cf. John 15:1-8 teaches that he is the vine and we are the branches). So, what’s the difference between nourishing ourselves with the world and nourishing ourselves with Christ? Spiritual. Malnutrition. 

Closely related to the theme of spiritual nourishment is public worship. Whether the body of Christ has communion every week, a weekly gospel reflection, and/or biblical teaching that interprets Scripture through Christological lenses, it’s imperative for Jesus and the gospel to be the center of our worship.

Jesus also reigns over death. Paul’s description—he is “the firstborn from the dead” is another way of proclaiming that Jesus was the first to conquer death (he is the “firstfruits” in 1 Corinthians 15:20). Death was considered our enemy (cf. Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:26, 55), but Jesus conquered death and reigns victorious. In Christ, “we are more than conquerors.” (Romans 8:37)

How does this truth impact us? Because of our union with Christ (2:11-12; cf. Romans 6:5-11) we have (in some sense) already spiritually partaken in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Because we are “in Christ” (spiritually united with him) we no longer have to fear death because to “be away from the body [is]…at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)

1:19-20: Fulfilling “the role of the temple in which one finds the full presence of God,” (Pao, 102) the Second Person of the triune God took on human nature (John 1:1, 1:14) in order to reconcile creation to himself (cf. Ephesians 1:10). Paul connects the incarnation (“in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell”) with his ultimate purpose of saving us and reconciling creation (“to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”) 

1:21-1:23: Having identified our former relationship with God (alienated), way of thinking (hostile in mind) and lifestyle (evil deeds), Paul proclaims that Jesus died on the cross “in order to present [us] holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” Here Paul might be echoing the same sentiments in Romans 12:1: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers…to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Following Christ in not so simple. In the midst of demonic influence, mystical philosophies, or human traditions, Paul exhorts us to “continue in the faith,” to be “stable and steadfast,” and “not to shift from the hope of the gospel.” But, how do we do this? 

Pathway encourages people to “practice” PLATES as a way to follow Christ: proclaim the gospel, do life together, align ourselves with God/ask God with prayer, experience the teaching ministry of the Word, exalt God with words of praise, and serve others with your spiritual gifts and skills. 

1. How does Paul teach Jesus’ divine nature? 

2. What does it mean to say that Christ is the head of the church?

3. How does this passage show Jesus’ power over the demonic world?

4. What’s the significance of Jesus’ death? (vs. 21-22)

5. We are called to persevere (v. 23). What helps you to persevere in your faith? How does perseverance relate to “the hope of the gospel?”

6. What makes it difficult for you to share the gospel? (Are these just excuses?)

7. How does Jesus reign in 1:15-1:23? How can these truths make a difference?