He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross [through him], whether those on earth or those in heaven. 21 And you who once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds 22 he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through his death, to present you holy, without blemish, and irreproachable before him, 23 provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, am a minister.
Christ, as the "image" of God (2 Cor. 4:4; Jn. 1:18), reveals God’s nature fully and visibly, the true representation and manifestation of God. He is eternal, uncreated, and supreme over all created things. Paul affirms Christ’s divine authority over all created realms, both physical and spiritual, making reference to angelic hierarchies, “thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers,” to show that Christ is superior even to these. Christ is the purpose and means of creation (1 Cor. 8:6). Not only was Christ present before creation, but he continues to be the divine force sustaining and unifying all creation (Heb. 1:3).
Paul presents the Church as a living organism that Christ governs and directs as the "head of the body." He is the origin and guiding force of the Church, the community of believers, and the source of eternal life for all believers through his resurrection which inaugurates a new creation. He holds a unique role as both Creator and Redeemer. Christ’s authority extends over all creation and the Church, embracing every realm. The entirety of God’s essence and power permanently resides in Christ whose sacrifice redeems and reconciles individuals and all creation to God.
The Colossians were formerly in a state of alienation from God due to sin, but through the willing sacrifice of his body on the cross, he sanctified believers presenting them as “holy” and “without blemish,” before God (cf. Lev. 22:20). The Colossians should be steadfast in faith and root their lives firmly in Christ. They must resist false teachings that threaten their belief and hope in the promise of eternal life and reconciliation with God through Christ. Paul tells them that he is speaking as a minister of the Gospel, an ambassador of Christ.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for delivering us from darkness and bringing us into the kingdom of Your beloved Son. Help us remain steadfast in faith, firmly grounded in Christ who is the image of Your glory, the firstborn over all creation. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
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