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He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
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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Colossians
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11
18th Century
Presbyterian
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 …
Before all things (προ παντων). Προ with the ablative case. This phrase makes Paul's meaning plain. The precedence of Christ in ti…
19th Century
Anglican
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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Baptist
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…
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…
16th Century
Protestant
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…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
And he is before all things Not only in dignity, being preferable to angels and men in his nature, names, offices, a…
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…
13th Century
Catholic
After Paul recalled for us the universal and special benefits of grace, he now commends the Author of this grace, who is Christ. He does this first…
