The Image of the Invisible Colossians 1:15-22

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:15

The Greek word for “Firstborn” is prōtotokos. If Christ were the “first-created,” the Greek word would have been prōtoktisis

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:15

In the Old Testament a firstborn child had not only priority of birth but also the dignity and superiority that went with it

Jesus carries the rights and privileges of the firstborn. Like Jacob and Isaac or Solomon or even Peter and not Andrew.

A term used of King David who was not first in birth order.

Psalm 89:27 ESV

And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

beginning in the Greek is Arche meaning source or primacy. As the beginning he is the originator.

This passage lays out 4 truths about Jesus relationship to the Church.

He is the Head of the Church

2. Christ is the Source of the Church

3. Christ is the firstborn from the dead.

4. Christ is the pre-eminent one.

There are 5 key words used in the New Testament to describe our salvation. Each of which paints the picture of salvation with a different shade of color.

Justification, redemption, forgiveness, adoption, and reconciliation

In Justification the sinner stands before God guilty and condemned, but is declared righteous.

In redemption the sinner stands before God as a slave to sin but is granted freedom.

In forgiveness the sinner stands before God as a debtor but the debt is paid and forgotten.

In adoption the sinner stands before God as a stranger but is made a child.

what about our word here? reconciliation? In reconciliation the sinner stand before God as an enemy but becomes a friend.

that is why this passage say “by making peace” and “Once you were alienated and hostile”.

It means to change or exchange. we have been changed from enemies and exchanged as friends.

Let me show you one more thing about the Rembrandt picture.

this little guy right here is a self-portrait. In fact Rembrandt often put self-portraits into his pictures and you can almost always tell because he has a hat on. A hat in the dutch style.

So here we have an accurate description of Jesus. But have you even thought of where you are in the picture?