Please explain Colossians 1:15.
Colossians 1:15 reads, “Who is the image of the invisible God; the firstborn of every creature.” This precious verse is describing the Lord Jesus Christ and two very precious truths concerning Him. They describe what He is
1) In relation to God; and what He is
2) In relation to Creation.
Let’s take a close look at these two descriptions and may the Lord bless us richly as we have Christ before us.
First of all, He “is the image of the invisible God.” The word “image” has the thought of “manifestation” and “representation.” In the Person of Jesus Christ God was “manifested” unto men. God is a spirit, and therefore, invisible, but when Jesus Christ walked among men “He made the invisible God visible.” John 1:18 confirms this, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.” Jesus Himself said in John 14:9, “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father.” He was God’s true “representative,” for He was, according to 1 Timothy 3:16, “God manifest in the flesh.” Many deny the Deity of Christ, but this verse teaches us clearly and emphatically that JESUS CHRIST IS GOD!
Secondly, He is “the firstborn of all creation” (NASB). Those who deny that Jesus is God teach that “Jesus was the first person God created” and they would tell us that the word “firstborn” supports that view. But the word “firstborn” often means “first in rank,” thus one who has “first place.” Psalm 89:27 illustrates this, for it says, “Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.” Solomon was NOT the first son born to David, but he was called the “firstborn” because he was given a position “higher than the kings of the earth.” Our verse is teaching us the wonderful truth that God has given His Son, Jesus Christ, the “first place” over all creation! Why? Verse 16 tells us why, “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.” We said that deniers of Christ’s Deity teach He was the first created being but they fail to see that HE IS THE CREATOR! John 1:3 echoes this same truth, “All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” Verse 17 adds, “And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” This teaches us that Christ certainly existed BEFORE He created all things and that He NOW sustains all things. The universe is “held together” by His power,” as we see in Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power.” What a glorious Person He is and every believer can rejoice in this amazing truth. As we meditate on these things it should indeed cause us to give Him “first place” in our lives. If we do we will be obeying the exhortation in verse 18, “that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (166.3) (DO)