Lesson: Colossians 1:15-20;
Golden Text: “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell” (Colossians 1:19).
INTRODUCTION. There is no record indicating that Paul ever visited Colossae (see Colossians 2:1), but many theologians believe that the church was established under the leadership of Epaphras (see Colossians 1:7; 4:12). On his Third Missionary Journey, Paul had established a ministry in Ephesus (see Acts 19:1, 8-10), 100 miles west of Colossae for more than two years. The influence of his ministry reached “all who dwelt in Asia” (see Acts 19:10). Epaphras probably heard Paul in Ephesus and then carried the gospel to Colossae. The Colossian church had been infiltrated by religious heretics who combined other philosophies and religion with Christianity. The resulting heresy later became known as Gnostism which denied Christ as God and Saviour. This letter was written to address this false doctrine (see Colossae 2:16-18, 20-22). Paul’s introduction to the Colossians includes a greeting, a note of thanksgiving, and a prayer for spiritual wisdom and strength for these brothers and sisters in Christ (see Colossians 1:1-12). Then he moved into a doctrinal discussion about the person of Jesus Christ refuting the false teachings that Jesus was not deity.
II. JESUS OVER THINGS (Colossians 1:15-17)
A. Jesus Christ is the image of God (Colossians 1:15). After reminding the Colossians of the redemption they had in Christ (see Colossians 1:14), Paul began his argument against the teachings that Jesus was not deity by saying “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” The Greek word translated “image” refers to an exact likeness in every detail such as one’s reflection in the water or in a mirror. Jesus Christ is the exact representation of His Father as well as His manifestation before men (see John 1:16: 14:8-9). In other words, the invisible God has been made visible in Christ. Jesus is as much God as God Himself. To see Jesus is to see God. Paul also identified the Redeemer as “the firstborn of every creature.” At first glance, this appears to mean that He was the first created being, but that cannot be true, because the next verse says that all things were created by Him. Other passages also call Christ the Creator (see Colossians 1:3; Hebrews 1:2). “Firstborn” should be understood in the sense of heir or sovereign. In Hebrew culture, the first born in a family became heir to all the father’s possessions and ruled the inheritance. Christ, as God’s Son rules all creation.
B. Jesus is the Creator of all things (Colossians 1:16). Paul continues to say, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” The word “For” reveals a continuation of Paul’s thought from the previous verse and goes on to say “by him were all things created.” Jesus is the Creator of everything including the heavenly and the earthly, things we can see and the things we cannot see. The phrase “whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers” refers to both the visible and invisible things created by Christ. Note: Because the false teachers believed that the physical world was evil, they thought that God could not have created it. They reasoned that if Christ were God, He would be in charge of only the spirit world not an evil physical world. But Paul argued that all the rulers, powers, thrones, and principalities or authorities of both the spiritual and physical worlds were created by and under the authority of Christ. This includes not only governments, but also the spiritual world with both fallen and unfallen angels that the heretics were so concerned about. Christ has no rival, He is the Lord of all! In the last part of this verse Paul again says “all things were created by him” indicating that Jesus is the Agent who brought everything into existence. In addition, everything was created “for him.” God is the creator of the universe, but He created everything through His Son. Everything was created for Jesus Christ, for His benefit and for His purposes. Hebrews 2:1 tells us that He is the appointed “heir of al things.” Jesus Christ is the Designer, the Builder and the Owner of all that exists.
C. Jesus is the sustainer of all things (Colossians 1:17). Here Paul says “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” The word “before” can mean either prior in time or greater in importance and both are true of Christ. The phrase “before all things” speaks of Jesus’ supremacy and also tells us that Jesus existed from eternity past. He was already there when the universe was created (see Micah 5:2). Genesis 1:26 says “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” indicating that Jesus has always been there with God (see John 1:1). Our Lord’s supremacy is not confined to a particular era; it is eternal. The apostle also said that “by him all things consist.” The word “consist” means to hold together. Everything in the universe is held together by the power of the Son of God. Hebrews 1:3 refers to Christ as “upholding all things by the word of his power.” This includes everything from the smallest atom or molecule to the gigantic galaxies and solar systems. Jesus is holding everything together and keeping it operating. Just imagine what chaos would result if Jesus Christ withdrew His sustaining power from the world!
III. JESUS OVER PEOPLE (Colossians 1:18-20)
A. Jesus is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18). Still referring to Jesus, Paul here says “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Just as Christ is supreme over the creation, He is also sovereign over His new creation, the church. The word for “church” means “assembly” but here it refers to Christ’s worldwide assembly of called out believers. Here the “church” is also called “the body.” When referring to the church, Paul often used a metaphor based on the human body (see Romans 12:4-6; I Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:4, 12, 16). Christ is the “head of the body, the church.” As a human body has a head that directs its actions, so Christ is the Head who coordinates the church’s ministry. Jesus Christ is uniquely qualified to lead the church because He is “the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.” The word “beginning” indicates that Christ originated the church and gave it His life and power. The phrase “firstborn from the dead” refers to Jesus’ victory over death and the fact that He was the first to rise from the dead never to die again. As a result of Jesus’ resurrection, believers will also experience a physical resurrection (see I Corinthians 15:51-52) as well as a resurrection from spiritual death (see Colossians 2:13). Christ is Head over the church so that “in all things he might have the preeminence.” Jesus has always been preeminent or above everything else, but through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, He becomes Lord in a new realm---the church. His authority over His created beings is enhanced because He now rules “all things,” both a spiritual and a physical creation.
B. Jesus is the fullness of the Father (Colossians 1:19). As the heretics also taught that Jesus was less than God but greater than humans, Paul refuted that by saying “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” In other words, in Jesus, the complete embodiment of all God’s attributes became fully human. God is holy, Jesus is holy. God is sovereign, Jesus is sovereign. God is omniscient, Jesus is omniscient. God is omnipotent, Jesus is omnipotent. If we like we could go on with every detail about God forever and will still find that Jesus has the same divine attributes. Let us not forget that this can also be said about the Holy Spirit. While Jesus became a man through incarnation, He never stopped being God. The Father was “pleased,” or it was His will that His Son became human to fulfill His divine purpose (see Ephesians 1:9-10).
C. Jesus is the Maker of peace (Colossians 14:20). Finally the apostle said “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” The word “reconcile” means renewing a congenial relationship that was once present but was damaged by some kind of interference. Christ’s finished work is one of reconciliation, bringing two parties from disharmony to peace. He made this peace “through the blood of his cross.” Because of sin, man had become corrupted and distanced from God and needed to be reconciled. Jesus’ death provided that reconciliation, or peace between God and man, by removing the barrier of sin (see II Corinthians 5:17-21). It also provided peace between Jew and Gentile by removing the barrier of the law and giving both groups access to God (see Ephesians 2:13-18). The last part of this verse, “to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” does not mean that unbelieving humans will be saved and go to heaven; nor that wicked angels will receive a blanket pardon; for Scripture foretells their final doom (see Revelation 20:11-15). Even the creation will be destroyed (see II Peter 3:10-11). The Bible explains that restoring peace with God comes when each person trusts in Jesus. Everyone, who receives Jesus as Saviour will be reconciled to God and be at peace with Him. Those who refuse will remain un-reconciled and will not be restored to a relationship with Him. This decision will determine a person’s eternal destination.
IV. Conclusion. Unfortunately, those who have trouble believing that Jesus is God may never be able to accept that it was the Father’s will that Jesus was not just a glorified man. As God incarnate, Jesus was the manifested presence of God among men. Having the fullness of God, He was able to reconcile man with God our father. God desires communion, peace, and harmony with man. His Word reveals that even in His magnificence, God desires fellowship with lowly humans. Jesus as God had no limitations but was empowered in all things. He brought about peace through His death and restored unity between God and man. One must be awed by His greatness! 
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