Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 1:15

"who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;" — Colossians 1:15 (ASV)

In regard to deity, Christ is “the image of the invisible God” (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4). He is not the image of God in a material or physical sense. Nor should we, as some interpreters do, understand this as a reference to Christ’s existence in the preincarnate state. The context strongly supports the view that Paul was thinking of Christ in his glorified state. To be sure, there is a very real sense in which Christ always has been, is, and always will be the “image” (GK 1635) of God. But that seems not to be the point here. The word expresses two ideas. One is likeness: Christ is the image of God in the sense that he is the exact likeness of God, like the image on a coin or the reflection in a mirror (cf. Hebrews 1:3). The other idea in “image” is manifestation: Christ is the image of God in the sense that the nature and being of God are perfectly revealed in him (cf. Jn 1:18). Therefore Paul can boldly say that we have “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6) and that believers, reflecting the Lord’s glory, “are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Paul’s statement leaves no place for the vague emanations and shadowy abstractions so prominent in the gnostic system.

In relation to the universe, Christ is “the firstborn over all creation.” “Firstborn” (GK 4758; see also v.18; Romans 8:29; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 1:15) may denote either priority in time or supremacy in rank. In the present passage, perhaps we should see both meanings. Christ is before all creation in time; he is also over it in rank and dignity. The major stress, however, seems to be on the idea of supremacy. Some see in the word an allusion to the ancient custom whereby the firstborn in a family was accorded rights and privileges not shared by the other offspring. He was his father’s representative and heir, and to him the management of the household was committed. Following this line of interpretation, Christ is his Father’s representative and heir and has the management of the divine household (all creation) committed to him. He is thus Lord over all God’s creation.