The Supremacy of Christ
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things,
and by him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17)
From verses 15 to 23, Paul focuses on the authority and centrality of Jesus Christ. The false teachers during this time were teaching many things, one particular false doctrine being that Christ was equal to many other spiritual entities that came from God the Father. Commentator Kent Hughes wrote, “The Gnostics…considered Jesus to be only one of thousands of emanations from the great unseen God. According to them, Christ was not the way, the truth, and the life, but only the beginning rung in the ladder to the true God.” So, Paul counters by giving a presentation on Christ’s supremacy.
In verse 15, “He is the image of the invisible God.” In both the Old and New Testament, the fact that God the Father is invisible is given. John writes in John 1:18, “No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him.” Christ is the perfect image or representation of God. The Greek word for “image” is “eikon” where we get the word “icon.” They would use this word “eikon,” in reference to pictures and portraits. But Christ also goes beyond just a simple picture, as He has all the attributes and displays God’s character. He is the revelation of God’s being. He is also the “firstborn over all creation,” meaning that He holds the highest rank over all of creation. He is supreme.
He holds this position, because according to verse 16, “For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.” Everything that we know and do not know about the created universe was established by Christ. We see this also listed in John 1:3, “All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.” Jesus was not just some spirit that was created by God; He is God, disproving the Gnostics.
Finally, verse 17, “He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.” He is eternal. Before time existed, Jesus Christ was already in existence. Not only that, but Jesus Christ, through His power, is actively controlling everything. He can do this because He is God.
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, may we never forget the power and glory of the One we follow. May we live our lives in worship to Him, for He alone deserves the praise and honor.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
