CHRIST IS SUPREME

Passage: Colossians 1:15-23

Key verse: 18

NIV

The Supremacy of the Son of God

15 The Son is the image(A) of the invisible God,(B) the firstborn(C) over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created:(D) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;(E) all things have been created through him and for him.(F) 17 He is before all things,(G) and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head(H) of the body, the church;(I) he is the beginning and the firstborn(J) from among the dead,(K) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased(L) to have all his fullness(M) dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile(N) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,(O) by making peace(P) through his blood,(Q) shed on the cross.

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies(R) in your minds(S) because of[a] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled(T) you by Christ’s physical body(U) through death to present you(V) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation(W)— 23 if you continue(X) in your faith, established(Y) and firm, and do not move from the hope(Z) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,(AA) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.(AB)

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Footnotes
  1. Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Preeminence of Christ

15 (A)He is the image of (B)the invisible God, (C)the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[a] him all things were created, (D)in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether (E)thrones or (F)dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created (G)through him and for him. 17 And (H)he is before all things, and in him all things (I)hold together. 18 And (J)he is the head of the body, the church. He is (K)the beginning, (L)the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For (M)in him all the (N)fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and (O)through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, (P)making peace (Q)by the blood of his cross.

21 (R)And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, (S)doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled (T)in his body of flesh by his death, (U)in order to present you holy and blameless and (V)above reproach before him, 23 (W)if indeed you continue in the faith, (X)stable and steadfast, not shifting from (Y)the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed (Z)in all creation[b] under heaven, (AA)and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

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Footnotes
  1. Colossians 1:16 That is, by means of; or in
  2. Colossians 1:23 Or to every creature
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Paul wrote this letter in part to fight against false teachings in the church. There were some who were teaching against the supremacy of Christ, which meant that Christ was not enough for salvation. To those who were influenced by these teachings, Paul testified to the complete supremacy of Christ. He is God, through whom all things were created. He was with God in the beginning, so he was before all things. He is the head of the church, and the firstborn among the dead. In him is all the fullness of God and by his sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection from the dead, he has become the reconciliation between God and people. Christ is indeed supreme!

Before they had come to Christ, the Colossians had been like everyone else: dead in their sins, alienated from and enemies of God. But because of Christ’s death on the cross, they were reconciled to him. They who were crimson because of their sins were washed white as snow in the blood of Jesus. Paul encouraged them to remain so by persevering in their faith. This is the power of the gospel that had not just been proclaimed to them, but to every creature on earth.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your Son, who is all that is needed for our salvation.

One Word: Christ indeed is supreme!