All Things Created by Him Colossians 1:16

As Paul the apostle continued writing to the Colossian church members, he began to address some of the heresies which were being spread by the Gnostics and the Judaizers who had infiltrated the church. The Gnostics denied the deity of Jesus Christ, and the Judaizers mixed works with faith as necessary for salvation. In chapter one and verse fifteen Paul told the Colossians how Jesus was “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn (or precedence) of every creature”, and in verse sixteen Paul tells how Jesus was the Creator of all things. We read:

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

The verse begins, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,” Paul wrote, “For” which in this case means “since, on account of and because” “by him were all things” which refers to “each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, everything collectively and individually” “created” or “formed, shaped, completely changed or transformed”. Paul included all things “that are in heaven” or “the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it, the universe, the world, the aerial heavens or sky; the region where the clouds and the tempests gather, and where thunder and lightning are produced; the sidereal or starry heavens; and the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. Paul adds, “and that are in earth” which refers to “arable land; the ground, the earth as a standing place; the main land as opposed to the sea or water; the earth as a whole; the earth as opposed to the heavens; the inhabited earth, and the abode of men and animals”. There was nothing created in the heavens and earth that were created by any other than Jesus Christ Himself.

The verse continues, “visible and invisible,...” As though he needed to add more specifications to “all things created” Paul added things “visible” or “open to view” and “invisible” or “unseen”. All things which are clearly seen by man, Jesus created, and all things which are not seen by man, He created as well.

The verse goes on to say, “whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:” Paul breaks down the “invisible” things created by Jesus as he wrote “whether they be thrones” which is literally “a throned seat” and refers to “kings, judges, elders or royalty”; “or dominions” which refers to “power or lordship”; “or principalities” which means “beginning or origin; the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader, that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause, the extremity of a thing, the first place, rule or magistracy”; and finally “or powers” which refers to “the power of choice, rule, authority or right”. It denotes both “influence and privilege”, and any authority which has been put in place was created by Him.

Finally the verse adds, ”all things were created by him, and for him:” Paul completed this verse by reiterating “all things were created by him” and tells the reason why “for him” which means “unto, to, towards and among” “Himself”. The purposes and reasons Jesus created “all things” both “visible and invisible” was for Himself.

When we think about these words, we cannot help but note the awesome power of the Lord God Almighty. Paul made it very clear that Jesus Christ was involved in creation, was the Creator, and in effect God who came in the flesh. The Gnostics denied Jesus' deity and were teaching the Colossians these ideas. Paul presented the argument that Jesus Christ is the Creator, and thereby came against the heretical teaching of the Gnostics. As we ponder Paul's words, let us allow the Holy Spirit of God to help us know just how awesome Jesus Christ is, and may we never have doubt in the One who created all things.

Next time Paul will write more about Jesus Himself, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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