6 He is before all things; Colossians 1:15–17

In Colossians 1, beginning at verse 15, Paul provides a most exalted exposition of who “the Son of His love” is (1:13).

He is [the] image of God, the invisible One, first-born of all creation, 16 because in Him were the all things created—those in the heavens and those upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, whether lordships, whether principalities, whether authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him, 17 and He is before all, and the all things in Him have consisted.
Colossians 1:15–17 (YLT)

image of God

The relative pronoun “He” refers to “the Son of His love” in verse 13. Paul writes of Him in the present tense: “He is [the] image of God, the invisible One…” (cf. 2 Cor. 4:4). Paul is speaking of the glorified Christ. The term “image of God” reminds us of the first chapter of the Bible, where we read that God created Adam “in His image and according to His likeness” (Gen. 1:27). The identity of that image (Gr. eikōn) is not specified in Genesis 1, but it is Paul who reveals it: the image after (lit. in) which Adam was created is Christ, the Son of His love. Adam was created after the model of “the last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:45). Although the coming of “the last Adam” would still be thousands of years away, God had Him “in image” from the beginning. “The last Adam” served as the prototype of the first Adam.

first-born of all creation

Adam was created as the crown of creation and to rule over the whole earth (Gen. 1:26), but it is not Adam, rather “the last Adam,” who will actually fulfill this commission. He is the Son of Man of Psalm 8, who is now crowned with glory and honour (Ps. 8:4–6; Heb. 2:6–9). The first man, Adam, was only a provisional ‘demo version,’ whereas “the second man” is definitive, and therefore “the last Adam.” Adam 2.0 (1 Cor. 15:45,47). Adam was appointed over the whole earth, but “the last Adam” will truly reign over all creation. All things have been placed under His feet (Heb. 2:8), so that He is the highest in rank of all creation!

The term ‘first-born’ does not primarily refer to order of birth, but to rank in birth. Consider that the most prominent ‘first-borns’ we encounter in the book of Genesis were typically not the first to be born. Think of Isaac, of Jacob, of Joseph, and of Ephraim—none of them were their father’s first-born, yet they were placed in that position. Just as Solomon certainly was not David’s first-born, but was still appointed as first-born.

Yea, I appoint him first-born, higher than the kings of the earth.
Psalm 89:28 (see also Rev. 1:5)

In the same way, God’s Son was not born first, but appointed as “first-born of all creation.” Of all creatures, He is the first (in rank). However much He is involved in creation (in, through, and for; see below), He is not the Creator but a creature. “First-born of all creation.”

for IN Him were the all things created

The explanatory “for” clarifies why God’s image is “first-born of all creation.” Paul explains: for in Him were the all things created. That the entire creation was created “in Him” (=God’s image) means that all things exist within His sphere and domain.

the all things have been created THROUGH Him and FOR Him

While we first read that all was created “in Him,” Paul now adds two more prepositions. The universe was created through Him and for Him. The preposition “through” (Gr. dia) is encountered earlier in connection with creation (John 1:3; 1 Cor. 8:6). God created all things “through the word,” and since the Son is the (incarnate) Word of God, He is (retrospectively) the means by which creation came into being.

The universe was also created “for Him.” The preposition “for” (Gr. eis, lit. unto-in) indicates the direction and purpose of creation. Everything was created with a view to the Son of His love, who is the image of God and the first-born of all creation.

All is created IN, THROUGH, and UNTO-IN the Son—but take note: the preposition FROM (Gr. ek) is absent in this context. That is reserved solely for the one God, the Father.

… yet to us [there is] one God, the Father, from whom the all things [are], and we to Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom [are] the all things, and we through Him.
1 Corinthians 8:6

God the Father is the Source. FROM His mouth (cf. Ps. 33:6) the whole creation proceeds. The creation exists IN the domain of the Son, who is also the incarnate Word THROUGH whom God created all things. And this Son is also the goal UNTO Whom God created everything. All things will be subjected under His feet.

He is before all

The glory of Jesus Christ is that, although He was born millennia after Adam and was raised from the dead, He is nevertheless “before all.” Indeed, pre-existent. Not pre-existent as “Jesus” or as “Christ” or as “Son,” but as “Word” (logos). And also as “image of God.” For before the creation of all things, the Son, as God’s image, was already foreknown and foreordained.

and the all things in Him have consisted

When all things have been created in the domain of the Son, and He is the incarnate means through whom all things have come into being, but also the One for whom all things have come into being, then He is the decisive and unifying motive of the entire creation. The purpose that God has purposed in Him gives cohesion to the universe!

Delen: