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Verse Takeaways
1
Christ's Eternal Pre-existence
Commentators unanimously affirm that “he is before all things” points to Christ's eternal pre-existence. It means He existed in time before anything was created. Scholars like Ellicott connect the phrase “He is” to Jesus's own claim of eternal being, “I am” (John 8:58). This isn't just about having a higher rank; it's a declaration of His uncreated, divine nature.
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Book Overview
Colossians
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Commentaries
10
Albert Barnes
On Colossians 1:17
18th Century
Theologian
And he is before all things. As he must be, if he created all things. Those who regard this as referring to a moral creation interpret it …
AT Robertson
On Colossians 1:17
Before all things (προ παντων). Προ with the ablative case. This phrase makes Paul's meaning plain. The precedence of Christ in ti…
Charles Ellicott
On Colossians 1:17
19th Century
Bishop
He is before all things.—The words “He is” are both emphatic. He, and He only, is; all else is created. It is impossible not to re…
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Charles Spurgeon
On Colossians 1:15–17
19th Century
Preacher
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Colossians 1:17
Verse 16 has stated the essential reason for Christ’s lordship over creation, namely, that he is its creator. Verse 17 is a sort of summing up of t…
John Calvin
On Colossians 1:17
16th Century
Theologian
All things were created by him, and for him. He places angels in subjection to Christ, so that they do not obscure his glory, for four…
John Gill
On Colossians 1:17
17th Century
Pastor
And he is before all things
Not only in dignity, being preferable to angels and men in his nature, names, offices, a…
Matthew Henry
On Colossians 1:15–23
17th Century
Minister
Christ in His human nature is the visible manifestation of the invisible God, and he who has seen Him has seen the Father. Let us adore these myste…