Colossians 1:13-20

¹³ “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: ¹⁶ for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and 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 in Him all things hold together. ¹⁸ He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. ¹⁹ For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, ²⁰ and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

Verse 13: Paul declares the incredible truth that God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness. When we believed we were transferred from Adam to Christ. Forgiveness and newness are a package deal. We are not simply forgiven but we are given God’s righteous nature as a free gift.

Verse 14: In Christ, we have redemption, which means that He has paid the price to set us free from the bondage of sin and its consequences. Through His sacrifice, we have received the forgiveness of sins. This emphasizes the complete and total forgiveness that we have in Christ, freeing us from guilt and condemnation.

Verse 15: Paul reveals the profound truth that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He is equal in deity with the Father, and is the exact representation of the Father, revealing His nature and character. As the firstborn over all creation, Jesus also holds a position of preeminence and authority.

Verse 16: This verse highlights the role of Jesus in creation. All things, both visible and invisible, were created through him and for him. Jesus is not a demigod or lesser God. He is the creator and is sovereign over all creation.

Verse 17: This is Jesus on a subatomic level. Jesus is holding all things together, the entirety of the physical universe. Paul expresses this so that we understand the authority He has to save and be eternal life for all people. However, not everyone has accepted him as Savior and therefore He is only the head of the church. This means that Christ is inherently lord over the church. We do not need to make him first or elevate him. He is already supreme.

Verse 18: Jesus is the head of the body, which is the church. He is the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, signifying His resurrection and victory over death. In everything, He has the supremacy, highlighting His authority and preeminence.

Verse 19: Jesus is supreme over all creation because he is God in the flesh. This verse reveals the incredible truth that all the fullness of God dwells in Jesus. He is the embodiment of God’s nature and attributes. When we believe Christ shares his holiness with us.

Verse 20: Paul concludes this passage by highlighting the reconciling work of Christ. Through His blood shed on the cross, Jesus has made peace and reconciled all things to himself. This includes both things on earth and things in heaven, emphasizing the comprehensive scope of His redemptive work. Our place is to respond and consequently be restored to right relationship with God.