The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵ The Son is the image^(A) of the invisible God,^(B) the firstborn^(C) over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created:^(D) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(E) all things have been created through him and for him.^{(F) 17} He is before all things,^(G) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head^(H) of the body, the church;^(I) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(J) from among the dead,^(K) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased^(L) to have all his fullness^(M) dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile^(N) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(O) by making peace^(P) through his blood,^(Q) shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(R) in your minds^(S) because of^[a] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(T) you by Christ’s physical body^(U) through death to present you^(V) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(W)— ²³ if you continue^(X) in your faith, established^(Y) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(Z) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(AA) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(AB)

³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.^(A)

⁷ and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven^(A) in blazing fire^(B) with his powerful angels.^{(C) 8} He will punish^(D) those who do not know God^(E) and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.^{(F) 9} They will be punished with everlasting destruction^(G) and shut out from the presence of the Lord^(H) and from the glory of his might^(I)

¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord^(A) will be saved.”^[a](B)

¹⁴ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”^[b](C)

¹⁶ For God so loved^(A) the world that he gave^(B) his one and only Son,^(C) that whoever believes^(D) in him shall not perish but have eternal life.^(E)

⁹ For in Christ all the fullness^(A) of the Deity lives in bodily form,

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel,^(A) because it is the power of God^(B) that brings salvation to everyone who believes:^(C) first to the Jew,^(D) then to the Gentile.^(E)