Col 1:15 Who [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation, (16) Because in Him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or lordships or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and unto Him. (17) And He is before all things, and all things cohere in Him.
Colossians 1:15 says that Christ is the "image of the invisible God." Then, in the very same verse, Paul says that Christ is the "firstborn of all creation." Why does he put these two matters together, the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of all creation? To say that Christ, the all- inclusive One, is the image of God implies that He is the very God, the Creator. When we see Christ, we see the expression of the invisible God, for He Himself is God. Paul goes on to say that Christ is the firstborn of all creation. This means that in creation Christ is the first. Christ as God is the Creator. However, as man, sharing the created blood and flesh (Heb. 2:14), He is part of the creation. "Firstborn of all creation" refers to Christ's pre- eminence in all creation, since from this verse through verse 18 the apostle stresses the first place of Christ in all things. This verse reveals that Christ is not only the Creator, but also the first among all created things, the first among all creatures. The Bible reveals that Christ is both the Creator and a creature, for He is both God and man. As God, Christ is the Creator, but as man, He is a creature.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Colossians, pp. 66-67. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
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