Colossians 1:15–17

Context

Colossians presents itself as a letter sent by Paul, together with Timothy, to the church at Colossae in Asia Minor (Colossians 1:1–2). Tradition holds that Paul wrote it while imprisoned, though some scholars believe that a disciple of Paul wrote it in his name.

Following the thanksgiving and prayer (1:3–14), verses 15–20 form a poetic section exalting Jesus Christ. For this reason the passage is commonly called the "Christ hymn," and some scholars hold that it incorporates a hymn of the early church. Within this section, verses 15–17 concern Christ in relation to creation, while verses 18–20 present Christ as the head of the church and the one who accomplished reconciliation.

The later part of the letter warns against "philosophy and vain deceit" (2:8) and the "worshipping of angels" (2:18). In this light, the statement that even "thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers" were created by Christ is read as directed against a tendency to fear or serve spiritual powers.

Interpretation

• Reading "firstborn" as a matter of status: This is the reading of churches that accept the Nicene Creed, including Presbyterian, Methodist, Holiness, Baptist, Full Gospel, and Anglican churches. They understand the Greek prōtotokos ("firstborn") not as the first being created in time but as one who holds the right of inheritance and preeminent rank. Psalm 89:27, in which God says of David, "I will make him my firstborn," is cited in support. Moreover, since the very next verse, verse 16, states that all things were created by him, they conclude that Christ stands on the side of the Creator rather than among creatures.
• Reading focused on "image": This reading understands Christ as the one who makes the invisible God visible. It interprets the passage together with the image of God in Genesis, 2 Corinthians 4:4, and Hebrews 1:3.
• Reading in terms of providence: This reading takes verse 17, "by him all things consist," to mean that Christ not only created the world but continues to uphold and sustain it. The Reformed tradition, among others, cites this verse as a basis for the doctrine of providence (God's preservation and governance of the world).
• Reading in light of the wisdom tradition: Many biblical scholars read this passage against the background of the Jewish wisdom tradition, which, as in Proverbs 8, speaks of Wisdom participating in creation.

Debates and Issues

In the fourth century, Arianism used "the firstborn" as grounds for holding that the Son was the first created being. The Council of Nicaea (325) rejected this claim by confessing that the Son is "begotten, not made" and of one substance with the Father.

Today, Jehovah's Witnesses likewise regard Jesus as the first being God created and cite this passage in support. Their New World Translation renders "all things" in verses 16–17 as "all other things." Other denominations criticize this rendering for inserting words not found in the original text and thereby building an interpretation into the translation. Jehovah's Witnesses maintain that the rendering conveys the meaning required by the context.

In addition, the Korean Revised Version renders the phrase as "created by him," although the underlying Greek expression means "in him"; as a result, the wording varies somewhat from one translation to another.

Related Passages

• John 1:1–3
• Hebrews 1:1–3
• 1 Corinthians 8:4–6
• 2 Corinthians 4:4
• Proverbs 8:22–31