Today, we will be focusing on the second section of the passage dealing with Jesus being God. Paul has already set the foundation that God is the rescuer of mankind. In the next three verses he will share with us that The Messiah was God in the flesh. Let us take a closer look.
NAU Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
In verse 15, he states that Jesus “is the image of the invisible God”. The verb “is” relays the meaning of what exists. It is, also, in the present tense form indicating that He is presently in this state of being. The word “image” encompasses the idea of the form, substance, appearance, or likeness of something. In this case Jesus is the visible manifestation of an invisible and heavenly reality. Paul is alluding to the divine nature of Jesus. He is not portraying the physical image of God. We understand this by him stating that God is invisible or unseen and the phrase “the firstborn of all creation.” Since God is not a created being, the physical attributes of Him are not in question. When someone saw Jesus, they were not seeing the physical attributes of God, but the divine character, essence, of Yahweh, The Lord God, in Jesus. Hebrews 1:3 is a wonderful parallel verse stating this same truth.
Paul, furthering the understanding, states that He is “the firstborn of all creation.” The word “first born” means existing before or superior to all. Paul is not saying here that Jesus was created and happens to the first one that God created. What he is saying is that Jesus existed before anything was created. This phrase parallels Him with God as uncreated, as well as, explains two persons of the Trinity, The Father and The Son. Verse 16 will further point to Jesus’ divinity.
NAU Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or — all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Here we see further clarity presented about Jesus being God. Paul uses the preposition “en” in the Greek meaning “by.” The word used in this context refers to the casuality which denotes the means or instrument by which something is done. The word “ktizo” in the Greek means “to create or to make.” It is in the Indicative Aorist Passive 3rd singular form. This tells us that a factual event occurred in the past with time being insignificant and the subject receives the action of the verb. “All things” is the subject that is receiving the action that is being done by Jesus. Therefore, all things were created by Jesus. In the Greek the prepositional phrase “by Him” is in front of the verb. By doing this, it places emphasis on the agent by which all things were created, Jesus. Paul what to make it clear that Jesus is The Creator of all things. He then continues to list what He created. He created not only what we see (the visible) but also what we cannot see (the invisible).
The second usage of the verb “to create” is in the Indicative, Perfect, Pass, 3rd person, singular form. This tells us that a factual event was a completed action in the past, has present day effects, and the subject receives the action of the verb. Often when a verb is in the Perfect tense, it stresses a great theological truth. Paul, again for the second time, stresses that Jesus was The Creator of the universe. This is a theological truth that he doesn’t want the reader to misunderstand. It is clear that Jesus The Messiah was not just a man but He was God that came in the flesh.
Also, there are two prepositional phrases, by Him and for Him, that accompany this verb to add definition to what is being said. In the Greek they are both written before the verb. This is to place emphasis on those words. Paul wants the reader to understand not only was the universe created by Him but also the reason the universe was created was for Him. The attention of the reader is directed and centered on Jesus.
NAU Colossians 1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Here, Paul shares two positions that Jesus holds. He is “before all things” and “holds all things together.” He is God The Creator and God The Sustainer. The words “pro panton” in the Greek, when together, means “above all” designating the idea of primary importance or superiority. The verb “sunistao ” in the Greek is in the Indicative Perfect Active 3rd person singular form but has a present meaning “holds together or sustains.” This tells us that Jesus created all things is presently holding everything together. The point, that Paul is making, is that because of Jesus all things remain together without Him nothing would continue to exist.
This is another affirmation by Paul that Jesus is God. For there is only One in the place of superior importance and that is God, Himself. Also, we read that “in Him” or “by Him” or “because of Him” all things hold together. This is seen by the usage of the preposition “en” in the Greek. In this context it gives the understanding of the agent or causality in which something is done. It is also written before the verb in the Greek to add emphasis.
In these verses we see that Jesus is God, The Creator of everything in the universe, and that He presently holds all things together. When these verses are read, we get a taste of the awesome power of God, His love, and the intimacy that He desires to have with us. The loving and intimate aspects are that He created us to be for Himself. His purpose is for us to be for Him. We are incomplete with out Him. He values His creation so much that He wants an intimate relationship with it. He wants to enjoy it as much as His creation can enjoy Him. He did not just create the universe and leave. He also continues to hold it all together. He is constantly present in the lives of His creation.
The God of creation loves us. How amazing!! I hope, we are willing to acknowledge His presence and His desire to pour out His love upon us. What an awesome God He is. He is worthy of praise and honor all of our days!!! Help us Lord Jesus love you with our lives as You have loved us so intimately.
love Daniel
Posted on May 7th, 2007 by Daniel
Filed under: Truth To Live By