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.

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The Centrality of Christ

15 He is the image of the invisible God,(A)
the firstborn over all creation.[a](B)
16 For everything was created by Him,(C)
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through Him and for Him.(D)
17 He is before all things,(E)
and by Him all things(F) hold together.
18 He is also the head of the body, the church;
He is the beginning,(G)
the firstborn from the dead,(H)
so that He might come to have
first place in everything.
19 For God was pleased to have
all His fullness(I) dwell in Him,(J)
20 and through Him to reconcile
everything to Himself
by making peace(K)
through the blood(L) of His cross[b](M)
whether things on earth or things in heaven.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:15 The One who is preeminent over all creation
  2. Colossians 1:20 Other mss add through Him