Colossians week 3

The image of the invisible

Colossians 1:15–23 ESV

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.

Lord of creation

Colossians 1:15–17 ESV

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.

Messianic poem:

this section of scripture is by far one my favourites.

This text is what w call the Messianic poem.

the main argument of this particular text is that Jesus christ is lord over all of creation. not only is he lord now but always has been and always will be

Genesis 1:26 ESV

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

God is three in 1. 3 seperate but co equal people in one person we dont believe in 3 God we believe in 1.

additonally we beleive that the trinity has always been. this text shows that. Jesus has been and always well be he is the very image of God. when Jesus was on earth he was the living breathing walking image of the invisible God.

God is spirit and has no form so Jesus being fully man and fully God bears the image of God fully and he has existed before all of creation.

additonally through him all things were made in heaven and on earth were created by and through Jesus

Paul had in mind was rights that privledges that are ascoiated iwth the first born son

it also means that thrones and rulers all come through him but are in submission to him.

vs 17 states the in all of these things that Christ holds all of creation together

Lord of the Church

Colossians 1:18–20 ESV

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.