16 for [a](A)by Him all things were created, (B)both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether (C)thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—(D)all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He [b](E)is before all things, and in Him all things [c]hold together. 18 He is also the (F)head of (G)the body, the church; and He is (H)the beginning, (I)the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For [d]it was (J)the Father’s good pleasure for all (K)the [e]fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to (L)reconcile all things to Himself, (M)whether things on earth or things in [f]heaven, having made (N)peace through (O)the blood of His cross.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:16 Or in
  2. Colossians 1:17 Or has existed prior to
  3. Colossians 1:17 Or endure
  4. Colossians 1:19 Or all the fullness was pleased to dwell
  5. Colossians 1:19 I.e., fullness of deity
  6. Colossians 1:20 Lit the heavens

16 For [a]by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. 17 And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.](A) 18 He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the [b]church; and He is the beginning, [c]the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.(B) 19 For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son), 20 and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:16 Or in.
  2. Colossians 1:18 This refers to the entire body of born-again believers (whether past, present, or future), not a local congregation.
  3. Colossians 1:18 Christ is the first to be resurrected with an incorruptible, immortal body. Others who were raised had to die again.

16 For in him all things were created:(A) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;(B) all things have been created through him and for him.(C) 17 He is before all things,(D) and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head(E) of the body, the church;(F) he is the beginning and the firstborn(G) from among the dead,(H) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased(I) to have all his fullness(J) dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile(K) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,(L) by making peace(M) through his blood,(N) shed on the cross.

Read full chapter

16 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:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Read full chapter