Read & explore together
The Supremacy of the Son
This passage explains who the Son is and why he matters. It moves from his place in creation, to his place in the assembly, and then to what his death means for people who were once far away.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In these verses, Paul describes the Son with a series of statements about creation, life, fullness, peace and reconciliation. He then applies this teaching to the readers, reminding them of their past alienation and urging them to continue in the faith and hope of the Good News.
Colossians 1:15–23Main takeaway
This passage teaches that the Son has first place in creation and the assembly, and that through his death reconciliation is made for believers who are called to continue in faith.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The Son and the invisible GodPaul says, “He is the image of the invisible God”. The Son truly shows the God who cannot be seen.
Explanation
Paul says, “He is the image of the invisible God”. The Son truly shows the God who cannot be seen. Paul also calls him “the firstborn of all creation”, and the next verse explains this by speaking about all things being created by him, through him and for him.
02Before all things and head of the assemblyPaul says, “He is before all things,” and that “in him all things are held together”. Then the focus shifts to the assembly: he is its head, “the beginning”, and “the firstborn from the dead”.
Explanation
Paul says, “He is before all things,” and that “in him all things are held together”. Then the focus shifts to the assembly: he is its head, “the beginning”, and “the firstborn from the dead”. The stated result is that “in all things he might have the preeminence”.
03Fullness, peace and reconciliationPaul says that “all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him”. He then says that through him “to reconcile all things to himself” and to make peace “through the blood of his cross”, whether things on earth or in the heavens.
Explanation
Paul says that “all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him”. He then says that through him “to reconcile all things to himself” and to make peace “through the blood of his cross”, whether things on earth or in the heavens. The cross is named as the means by which peace is made.
04From alienated to blamelessPaul applies this teaching directly to the readers. In past times they were “alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds”.
Explanation
Paul applies this teaching directly to the readers. In past times they were “alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds”. Now they have been reconciled “in the body of his flesh through death”. The purpose named here is to present them “holy and without defect and blameless before him”.
05Continue in the faith and hopeThe passage ends with a call to remain steady. Paul says, “if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast”.
Explanation
The passage ends with a call to remain steady. Paul says, “if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast”. They are not to be moved away from “the hope of the Good News” they heard. Paul also identifies himself as a servant of this proclaimed Good News.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What words in this passage describe the Son’s place in relation to God, creation and the assembly?
Look closely at the phrases “image of the invisible God”, “before all things”, “head of the body”, and “firstborn from the dead”.
02How does Paul connect reconciliation and peace with the cross?
Notice that reconciliation is said to happen through him, and peace is said to be made “through the blood of his cross”.
03What change does Paul describe in the readers, and what response does he call for?
Compare their past alienation with their present reconciliation, then note the call to continue grounded and steadfast in faith and hope.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Colossians 1:15–23
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things have been created through him and for him.
17He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
18He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him,
20and through him to reconcile all things to himself by him, whether things on the earth or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.
21You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds,
22yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him,
23if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a servant.