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Colossians 1:15-20

Colossians 1:15-20. An Exegesis . Col 1:15-20.

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Colossians 1:15-20

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  1. Colossians 1:15-20 An Exegesis

  2. Col 1:15-20 • 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all* creation, 16 because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by him, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all things were created through him and for him, 17 and he himself is before all things, and in him all things are held together, 18 and he himself is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself may become first in everything, 19 because he was well pleased for all the fullness to dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by* making peace through the blood of his cross, through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven. (LEB)

  3. The Perversion Known as the NWT • 15  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16  because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. 17  Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist,18  and he is the head of the body, the congregation. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that he might become the one who is first in all things; 19because [God] saw good for all fullness to dwell in him, 20  and through him to reconcile again to himself all [other] things by making peace through the blood [he shed] on the torture stake, no matter whether they are the things upon the earth or the things in the heavens. (NWT)

  4. Verse 15 • 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all* creation, εἰκών • that which has the same form as someth. else (not a crafted object . . .), living image • BDAG

  5. IMAGE • εἰκών (LN 58.35; 58.61) (BAGD1.b. p. 222): ‘image’ [BAGD, Herm, Lns, NIC, NTC, WBC; KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NJB, NRSV, REB], ‘likeness’ [BAGD, LN (58.35)], ‘representation’ [LN (58.61)], ‘visible likeness’ [TEV], ‘visible image’ [NLT]. The clause ὃςἐστινεἰκὼντοῦθεοῦ ‘who is the image of God’ is translated ‘He in his own person shows us what God is like’ [TNT], ‘is exactly like God’ [CEV], ‘he reveals perfectly what God is like’ [SSA]. This word includes a likeness, a representation and a revealing [EG, Lt, SSA], a likeness in an essential characteristic or attribute [ICC], a visible [Ea, EG, My], exact and perfect representation in every detail [Ea]. • An Exegetical Summary of Colossians (p. 49).

  6. Jesus Is . . . • The perfect likeness, representation and image of the invisible God (Heb 1:3, Phil 2:6) • The visible image of God (Jn1:18b) • Since God is invisible, this is speaking to the Son’s essence and character • He perfectly reflects the essence of the invisible God (paraphrase)

  7. Firstborn • 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, Πρωτότοκος ① lit. pert. to birth order, firstborn ② pert. to having special status associated with a firstborn, firstborn,

  8. Firstborn • 13.79 πρωτότοκος • pertaining to existing prior to something else—‘existing first, existing before.’ πρωτότοκος πάσης κτίσεως ‘existing before all creation’ or ‘existing before anything was created’ Col 1:15. It is possible to understand πρωτότοκος in Col 1:15 as ‘superior in status’ (see 87.47). • Louw, J. P., & Nida,

  9. πρωτότοκος • QUESTION—What is meant by πρωτότοκος ‘firstborn’? • It was a title of the Messiah [ICC, Lt, NIC, SSA, TNTC]. It means that Jesus is the eternal Son of God and thus is God [Lns] and not a created being [EG, Lns]. It does not refer to Jesus’ birth as a human being [Alf, TH], but to his relation to God as the eternal Son of God and his heir [TH]. ‘Image of the invisible God’ refers to Christ’s relation to God, and ‘firstborn of all creation’ to his relation to the creation [Lg, Lt, My, WBC]. • An Exegetical Summary of Colossians (p. 51).

  10. Thomas Constable • “First-born" (Gr. prototokos) may denote either priority in time or supremacy in rank (cf. v. 18; Exod. 4:22; Ps. 89:27; Rom. 8:29; Heb. 1:6; Rev. 1:15). It may also denote both of these qualities. Both seem to be in view here. Christ was before all creation in time, and He is over all creation in authority. In view of the context (vv. 16-20), the major emphasis seems to be on His sovereignty, however.48 What "first-born" does not mean is that Christ was the first created being, which ancient Arians believed and modern Jehovah's Witnesses teach. This is clear because verses 16-18 state that Christ existed before all things and is the Creator Himself. Other passages also affirm His responsibility for creation (cf. John 1:3; 3:16; Rom. 8:29; Heb. 1:6; 11:28; 12:23).  (Constable, pg. 14)

  11. Norman Geisler • "Though it is grammatically possible to translate this as 'Firstborn in Creation,' the context makes this impossible for five reasons: (1) The whole point of the passage (and the book) is to show Christ's superiority overall things. (2) Other statements about Christ in this passage (such as Creator of all [1:16], upholder of Creation [v. 17], etc.) clearly indicate His priority and superiority over Creation. (3) The 'Firstborn' cannot be part of Creation if He created 'all things.' One cannot create himself. (Jehovah's Witnesses wrongly add the word 'other' six times in this passage in their New World Translation. Thus they suggest that Christ created all other things after He was created! But the word 'other' is not in the Gr.) (4) The 'Firstborn' received worship of all angels (Heb. 1:6), but creatures should not be worshiped (Ex. 20:4-5). (5) The Greek word for 'Firstborn' is prototokos. If Christ were the 'firstcreated,' the Greek word would have been protoktisis." (Ibid.)

  12. Verse 16 • because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by him, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all things were created through him and for him, πάντα • pert. to totality with focus on its individual components, each, every, any

  13. Verse 16 • because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by him, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all things were created through him and for him, • All created things • Everything in the heavens and earth • Jesus is the creator of all things created • If Jesus is a created being, where was He when He created?

  14. Verse 16 • because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by him, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all things were created through him and for him, • All inclusive • Includes the invisible things

  15. Translators • QUESTION—What is meant by ‘all things in the heavens and on the earth’? • It refers to all created things [Alf, Ea, EG, EGT, ICC, Lg, Lt, My, SSA, TH, TNTC], both animate and inanimate [TH]. It includes everything in the heavens and on the earth [Herm, Lns, My], that is, in the universe [Ea, LN, Lns]. It means the inhabitants of heaven and earth [NIC]. Itemphasizes the fact that absolutely everything is included [Lns, NTC, SSA, WBC]. • Exegetical Summary of Colossians (p. 53)

  16. Verse 16 • because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by him, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all things were created through him and for him, • “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” (Heb 1:2)

  17. Firstborn Heir • Verse 15 and 16 indicate the meaning of “firstborn” in 15 • Jesus is the heir who possesses the rights of the firstborn • Does not and cannot mean “first created” via the context

  18. Christ the Creator • “all things were created through him and for him” • All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (Jn 1:3) • but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Heb 1:2-3)

  19. Verse 17 • 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. • What are the “all things” via the context? • ALL CREATED THINGS • WHICH IS WHY THE NWT MUST PERVERT THE TEXT BY STATING • “Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist”

  20. VERSE 17 • V. 17 is a restatement of 15-16 • Parallelism • He existed before all created things • Or, before all of the created order (both physical or immaterial) Jesus, the Son pre-existed

  21. Verse 17 • Jesus is before all things… • But, only God is before all things • to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 1:25) • Jesus is referred to as both God/Savior (Tit 2:13, 2 Pet 1:1) and before all things in the NT • Concepts and titles only reserved for God

  22. Verse 17 • 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. • Again, Hebrews 1:3 states that Jesus, • “upholds the universe by the word of his power”

  23. Follow the Pronouns • 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.

  24. Verse 18 • 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 • Christ the head of the church • Not man or councils • Not confessions • Not Popes

  25. Verse 18 • “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” • Beginning = firstborn from the dead • Beginning = firstborn = head of the church • Beginning or founder of the church via being the firstborn from the dead (resurrection) • Not speaking about being created

  26. Textual Note • See the note on the term “firstborn” in 1:15. Here the reference to Jesus as the “firstborn from among the dead” seems to be arguing for a chronological priority, i.e., Jesus was the first to rise from the dead. • Biblical Studies Press. (2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes. Biblical Studies Press.

  27. Verse 18 • who is (the) beginning,a • LEXICON—a. ἀρχή (LN 68.1; 89.16) (BAGD1.d. p.112): ‘beginning’ [BAGD, Herm, LN (68.1), Lns, NIC, NTC, WBC; CEV, KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NJB, NRSV], ‘origin’ [LN (89.16); REB], ‘founder’ [TNT]. This clause is translated ‘he is the source of the body’s life’ [TEV], ‘he causes the Church to live spiritually’ [SSA], ‘he is first in everything’ [NLT]. • Exegetical Summary of Colossians (p. 59)

  28. Verse 18 • “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” • Remember the meaning of firstborn in 15? • pert. to having special status associated with a firstborn, firstborn, • This meaning is incorporated into v. 18

  29. Follow the Progression • V. 15 – firstborn • V. 16 – all things created for Him • V. 18 – He is preeminent

  30. FIRSTBORN and PREEMINENCE • 28 tn The Greek term πρωτότοκος (prōtotokos) could refer either to first in order of time, such as a first born child, or it could refer to one who is preeminent in rank. M. J. Harris, Colossians and Philemon (EGGNT), 43, expresses the meaning of the word well: “The ‘firstborn’ was either the eldest child in a family or a person of preeminent rank. The use of this term to describe the Davidic king in Ps 88:28 LXX (=Ps 89:27 EVV), ‘I will also appoint him my firstborn (πρωτότοκον), the most exalted of the kings of the earth,’ indicates that it can denote supremacy in rank as well as priority in time. But whether the πρωτό- element in the word denotes time, rank, or both, the significance of the -τοκος element as indicating birth or origin (from τίκτω, give birth to) has been virtually lost except in ref. to lit. birth.” In Col 1:15 the emphasis is on the priority of Jesus’ rank as over and above creation (cf. 1:16 and the “for” clause referring to Jesus as Creator).Biblical Studies Press. NET BIBLE

  31. Verse 19 • 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, • Greek literal translation, • “because in him, he was pleased for all the fullness to dwell” • No mention of deity or God dwelling…but inferred

  32. Verse 19 • “because in him, he was pleased for all the fullness to dwell” • 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, (Col 2:9) • Πλήρωμα • a total quantity, with emphasis upon completeness—‘full number, full measure, fullness, completeness, totality.’ • Louw, J. P., & Nida,

  33. Meaning • All of Him (God) completely dwells in the Son • Deity • Col 2:9 helps to full this out where it states, • 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, (Col 2:9) • πλήρωμα τῆς θεότητος • 12.13 θεότης, ητος f; θειότης, ητος f; θεῖονa, ου n: (derivatives of θεόςa ‘God,’ 12.1) the nature or state of being God—‘deity, divine nature, divine being.’

  34. Verse 20 • 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. • Christ and His cross the focus of redemption • ALL THINGS UNDER KING CHRIST’S RULE AND AUTHORITY • Matt 28:18 – “And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

  35. VERSE 20 • To reconcile both animate and inanimate things means bringing into harmony [ICC, My, TNTC], bringing under the rulership of Christ [Herm, TH], restoring to the relation to Christ which was ordained by God [EG, Herm], putting people into a right relationship with God, which will result in the creation being restored and all evil destroyed [TNTC], removing from the present relation or condition [Lg, Lns] and bringing into a new one [Lns], the removal of the hostility of God, which he had because of sin [Ea, My], the vanquishing of enmity [Herm]. It implies that there has been alienation [Lg, My, TH]. Sinners, in being reconciled, are no longer at enmity with God, while the angels who have not sinned are brought into a closer relationship with him and are able to glorify him in a more exalted way • King, M. (2008). An Exegetical Summary of Colossians (2nd ed., p. 66). Dallas, TX: SIL International.

  36. QUESTIONS

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