For
by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.
Colossians 1:16
Colossians 1 [9.] For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love; in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins; who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Colossians 1 [16.] For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things are held together. He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him; and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1 [21.] You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him, if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.
Meaning:
Paul wrote to the church at Colossae to show the supremacy of Christ over every power and philosophy that might draw believers away from him. This verse sits in a passage often called a hymn to Christ. It describes him as Creator of everything that exists, the same truth John expresses when he says of the Word, “All things were made through him” (John 1:2-4).
- “For by him all things were created”
The previous verse calls Christ “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15). “Firstborn” here speaks of rank and inheritance, not of being created first, because this verse goes on to say that all things were created by him. Nothing is excluded.
- “in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible”
Paul covers every realm, the seen world of people, animals and stars, and the unseen world of spiritual beings. The phrase echoes the first verse of the Bible: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
- “whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers”
These terms describe ranks of spiritual beings. Some in Colossae seem to have been tempted to honour such powers or fear them. Paul answers that every one of them was made by Christ and is under him. Elsewhere he says that Christ is seated “far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion” (Ephesians 1:21).
- “all things have been created through him, and for him”
Christ is not only the agent of creation but also its goal. Everything exists for his glory. The next verses add that “in him all things are held together” (Colossians 1:17) and that “He is the head of the body, the assembly” (Colossians 1:18). The Creator is also the Redeemer, reconciling all things “through the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:20).
The Significance of Colossians 1:16
- Nothing to fear
Because every power was created by Christ and is subject to him, believers need not fear any spiritual force. Christ is supreme.
- Life with purpose
If all things were created for him, our lives find their purpose in knowing and serving Christ. Work, rest and relationships can all be offered to him.
Cross-References:
John 1:3: “All things were made through him.” John's parallel teaching about the Word.
Ephesians 1:21: “far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion,” Christ's rule over all powers.
Colossians 1:18: “He is the head of the body, the assembly,” Christ's headship of the church.
Conclusion: Colossians 1:16 declares that Christ created all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, including every spiritual power. Everything was made through him and for him. This truth gives believers confidence in his supremacy and purpose for their lives.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible