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The Fullness of Christ | Colossians 1:15-20| Colossians Bible Study – Pt3 | Mike Prah

    Jul 10, 2024 | by Mike Prah

    The Fullness of Christ | Colossians 1:15-20| Colossians Bible Study – Pt3 | Mike Prah

    Introduction

    Paul presents Christ’s relation to the created world and addresses the origin and purposes of creation. He presents Jesus’ relationship to the redemption of what he created and reminds believers of the redemptive purposes of God in and through Christ.

    “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.” Colossians 1:15-20 (NLT)

     I. The Person of Jesus Christ (Who He Is) – Colossians 1:15-20

     A. Who Christ Is in Relationship to the Father

     “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God” Colossians 1:15a (NIV)

    “For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ” Colossians 1:19a (NLT) 

    • Christ is the likeness, representation, reflection, visible expression, and manifestation of God.[1]

    •  God is invisible (Rom 1:20; 1 Tim 1:17) and Jesus brought God into the human sphere of understanding. Jesus manifested God the Father. Jesus made him known. (Heb 1:3; John 1:18)

      “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command.” Hebrews 1:8 (NLT)

     “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body” Colossians 2:9 (NLT)

     “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” John 1:18 (NIV)

    •  The point is that in Christ the invisible God became visible. He shared the same substance as God and made God’s character known on earth.

    • The revelation of God in Christ is such that we can actually see him, even with all of our limitations.

    B. Who Christ Is in Relationship to the All Creation – Colossians 1:15-17

    “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Colossians 1:15-17 (NLT)

     1. “Christ … Existed Before Anything Was Created” Colossians 1:15b (NLT)

    “The Son … is the firstborn over all creation” Colossians 1:15b (NIV)

    • The Jewish concept of the birthright also influences the meaning of the word “firstborn.” The term “firstborn” referred to a rite that accorded the first son a special place and priority in the family. Jesus “is His Father’s representative and heir and has the management of the divine household (all creation) committed to Him.

     2. Christ is the Creator of All Creation - Colossians 1:16-17

    16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17 (NKJV)

    • Paul provided the reason for asserting the supremacy of Christ over creation. The three phrases “by him” (v. 16a), “through him” (v. 16b), and “for him” (v. 16b) indicate the relationship.

    “For by Him all things were created” Col. 3:16a

    • Practically, it means that Jesus conceived of creation and its complexities. The phrase points to Jesus as the “detailer” of creation.

    • Theologically the Father, of course, has a significant relationship to creation. He is presented as the architect; he determined to bring creation into existence.

    • The Son, Jesus, actually brought the plans into existence. Through his creative imagination and power, the created order exists. He is, in a sense, the foreman of the construction.

    • The Spirit, finally, does the actual work of applying the plans in a hands-on relationship to creation.

    • This statement about Jesus, therefore, speaks to Jesus’ originating the details of creation and bringing them into existence by his own creative energy.

     All things were created through Christ” Col. 1:16b

    • The second informative phrase is that creation came into existence “through Christ.” This phrase means that creation came to be through his power and ability. He is the effective agent of creation (cf. John 1:1-3; Heb 1:1-3)

    “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” John 1:1-3 (NIV)

    3. Christ Is the Goal of All Creation – Colossians 1:16

    “All things were created for Christ” Col. 1:16b

    • This means that Jesus is the goal of all creation. Everything exists to display his glory, and ultimately, he will be glorified in his creation.

    “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36 (NLT)

    “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” Revelation 1:8 (NLT)

    4. Christ Is the Sustainer of All Creation – Colossians 1:17

    “He … holds all creation together.” Colossians 1:17 (NLT)

    • The work of creation included the continual sustaining of what was created. Looking to the present, ongoing routine of creation, Jesus keeps things in order. The Co-Creator has not forgotten the creation. He daily maintains a balance in the universe. The Person of Jesus Christ (Who He Is) – Colossians 1:15-20

     APPLICATION

    • If Christ is in charge of creation and holds a unique position, what is there to fear? 

    • How would your life look different if you fully embraced Christ as the one in charge of your life? 

    • How would the lives of those around you be affected if you demonstrated every day that someone greater than yourself has the ability to rule your life and this world?

    [1] Todd D. Still, “Colossians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians–Philemon (Revised Edition), ed. Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), 289.

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