Col 1:19-22 | KingComments | STEP | . All previous blessings have become possible through the Lord Jesus Christ. You are delivered from the domain of darkness only by salvation. Salvation is not only a mighty act, but it happened also by paying a ransom. The Lord Jesus paid this ransom on the cross with His blood ( ). He gave His life ( ). Thus you are His property now ( ). So if we do things for the benefit of our own selves, then we actually rob Him because we belong to Him entirely. Another magnificent result of the price He paid is that all your sins are forgiven. I wonder if you ever realized this. If not, that’s a pity, because, though you are free, the burden of sin could sometimes weigh heavily down on you; and you might be going about with remorse in your heart. But cheer up. The blood of Jesus Christ has solved the problem already. Your sins are forgiven; they are gone and they have disappeared from the sight of God. He no longer sees them or thinks of them. Do you doubt this? Then listen to what the Scripture testifies: “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” ( ). Redemption and forgiveness are granted by God and caused by Christ. Any annoying question that is shot at you or demands an answer can now be dealt with adequately. I am thinking of the people who make your right to the inheritance a matter of dispute. Sometimes you might feel that you are incapable of enjoying the relevant blessings. Then you should say – certainly with humility, but with joy and assurance – that you are saved and have received the forgiveness of sins. Now your relationship is fully with the beloved Son. If you thank the Father you spontaneously talk of the Son ( ). If the Father is the source of every blessing, then the Son is the channel through Whom all the blessings come to you. The Son has executed all the plans of the Father at His own expense. Now it is all about worship. Thank the Father Who is the source of every blessing! Thank His beloved Son Who is the channel through Whom all blessings have become accessible to you. . Who is this beloved Son Who has made these blessings available to us? Here the apostle presents the Lord Jesus not only to refresh your heart, but also to fill it so that there is no room for anything else. He recounts successively: 1. Who Christ is in Himself; 2. what He is in the works that He accomplished; 3. what He is in His own . “He is the image of … God” and that means He is the representative of God. Only He can be this because He is by nature God. This nature comprises the complete equality of the Son with the Father in His essence, in His nature and in His existence as the eternal One ( ). Only through Him we can know God. He is also the “first born of all creation” (cf. ; ; ). This does not mean that He was the first created being. It describes the preeminence of the Son Who is exalted above everything. This refers to the ranking . You see this also with Solomon. He was not the first born son of David ( ); nevertheless he was called the firstborn ( ). The Lord Jesus is not a created being but He is over all created things and beings. He is the Creator indeed. He is the Firstborn because He created all things. When the Creator by being born as a Man enters into His own creation, He cannot be anyone other than the Firstborn. He is the Lord of all creation. . Although there are three Persons in the Godhead, creation is attributed to the Son ( ; ). Everything in heaven and on the earth, so in the whole universe, both in its visible and invisible forms, owes its existence to Him. The thrones, dominions, principalities and powers appear to be references to various angelic powers ( ; ). However impressive the angelic world may be, the glory of the Son Who created them is infinitely greater. The whole angelic world is called to worship Him and is created to serve Him ( ). He created them in His own strength, “by Him”. He did it personally, “through Him”, and He did it for His own glory, “for Him”. He is the Origin, the Executor and the Purpose of creation. This excludes the worship of anything or anyone else. . The words ”He is before all things” expresses that He is the eternal Son, the eternal Being; He was there before creation. He has an eternal pre-existence. He stands outside of creation; He does not belong to it; He Himself is not a creature. This He also shows by the fact that He upholds all things by His own power ( ). He not only called everything into existence, but also the present existence is due to Him. Planets traverse their prescribed courses only because He guides them and upholds them. Should He withdraw His hand for a moment, this would simply mean the end of the world. . After speaking of His glory as the Head over all creation, Paul says that the Lord Jesus is Head from another point of view. One can say that as He is the Head over the first or old creation, He also is the Head over the new creation. Head symbolizes authority and dominion as well as life and growth. This also applies to the new creation, the church, which owes its existence to Him. He is the church’s beginning and its origin ( ). In the absolute sense He is the beginning of everything, while and because He Himself is without beginning. However there is a big difference in the way the first creation originated and the way the second creation came into being. The first was created by the Word of His power ( ; ). In order to become the Head of the new creation He had to become Man and go through death to rise from it. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus was the new beginning for God. Thus the church, called here the body, emerged. We can compare it with how Eve was built from Adam. God put Adam in a sleep of death. During this sleep of death God took a rib from his body and formed it into a woman. When Adam saw her he said: “This is now the bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh” ( ). Paul applies this to Christ and the church ( ). The church is the body of Christ and Christ is the Head. He directs His body and gives it what it needs. The Lord Jesus has the first place not only in the first or the old creation, but He also is the Head and the Firstborn in the new creation. In the new creation He is the “firstborn from the dead”. This does not mean that He was the first to rise from the dead. People had risen from the dead earlier. But even here He is the Firstborn because He has the priority over any other who has risen from the dead or shall rise. He is the First because by His resurrection He is alive for all eternity ( ). By His resurrection He entered into another world which is now open for others. All who believe in Him will follow His resurrection. The special feature of this position is that by His resurrection He takes the first place in all things as Man. As God He has the glory of the Creator. But He became Man in order to pass through death as Man. As Man He is risen from the dead and as Man He has ascended into heaven. He became Man in order to remain so forever. That does not lessen His glory but makes it greater. . This is evident in the words “for it was the [Father’s] good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him” ( ). In the Lord Jesus – He is meant by “in Him” – dwells the triune God with joy. This was so when He came to earth, when He did the work of God and when He returned afterward to heaven. God is revealed in all His fullness without limitation, in the Person of Christ. In Him the triune God is involved with the new beginning. How great is His glory! Now read Colossians 1:14-19 again. Reflection: What are the glories of the Lord Jesus Christ you have discovered in this passage?

‏ Colossians 1:19-22

The Glory of the Son

Col 1:14. All previous blessings have become possible through the Lord Jesus Christ. You are delivered from the domain of darkness only by salvation. Salvation is not only a mighty act, but it happened also by paying a ransom. The Lord Jesus paid this ransom on the cross with His blood (1Pet 1:18). He gave His life (Mt 20:28). Thus you are His property now (1Cor 6:20). So if we do things for the benefit of our own selves, then we actually rob Him because we belong to Him entirely.

Another magnificent result of the price He paid is that all your sins are forgiven. I wonder if you ever realized this. If not, that’s a pity, because, though you are free, the burden of sin could sometimes weigh heavily down on you; and you might be going about with remorse in your heart. But cheer up. The blood of Jesus Christ has solved the problem already. Your sins are forgiven; they are gone and they have disappeared from the sight of God. He no longer sees them or thinks of them. Do you doubt this? Then listen to what the Scripture testifies: “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1Jn 1:7).

Redemption and forgiveness are granted by God and caused by Christ. Any annoying question that is shot at you or demands an answer can now be dealt with adequately. I am thinking of the people who make your right to the inheritance a matter of dispute. Sometimes you might feel that you are incapable of enjoying the relevant blessings. Then you should say – certainly with humility, but with joy and assurance – that you are saved and have received the forgiveness of sins.

Now your relationship is fully with the beloved Son. If you thank the Father you spontaneously talk of the Son (Jn 5:23). If the Father is the source of every blessing, then the Son is the channel through Whom all the blessings come to you. The Son has executed all the plans of the Father at His own expense. Now it is all about worship. Thank the Father Who is the source of every blessing! Thank His beloved Son Who is the channel through Whom all blessings have become accessible to you.

Col 1:15. Who is this beloved Son Who has made these blessings available to us? Here the apostle presents the Lord Jesus not only to refresh your heart, but also to fill it so that there is no room for anything else. He recounts successively:

1. Who Christ is in Himself;

2. what He is in the works that He accomplished;

3. what He is in His own.

“He is the image of … God” and that means He is the representative of God. Only He can be this because He is by nature God. This nature comprises the complete equality of the Son with the Father in His essence, in His nature and in His existence as the eternal One (Jn 14:9 ; Jn 1:18). Only through Him we can know God.

He is also the “first born of all creation” (cf. Rom 8:29; Heb 1:6; Rev 1:5). This does not mean that He was the first created being. It describes the preeminence of the Son Who is exalted above everything. This refers to the ranking. You see this also with Solomon. He was not the first born son of David (1Chr 3:1); nevertheless he was called the firstborn (Psa 89:27).

The Lord Jesus is not a created being but He is over all created things and beings. He is the Creator indeed. He is the Firstborn because He created all things. When the Creator by being born as a Man enters into His own creation, He cannot be anyone other than the Firstborn. He is the Lord of all creation.

Col 1:16. Although there are three Persons in the Godhead, creation is attributed to the Son (Jn 1:3; Heb 1:1-2). Everything in heaven and on the earth, so in the whole universe, both in its visible and invisible forms, owes its existence to Him.

The thrones, dominions, principalities and powers appear to be references to various angelic powers (Eph 6:12; 1Pet 3:22). However impressive the angelic world may be, the glory of the Son Who created them is infinitely greater. The whole angelic world is called to worship Him and is created to serve Him (Heb 1:6-7).

He created them in His own strength, “by Him”. He did it personally, “through Him”, and He did it for His own glory, “for Him”. He is the Origin, the Executor and the Purpose of creation. This excludes the worship of anything or anyone else.

Col 1:17. The words ”He is before all things” expresses that He is the eternal Son, the eternal Being; He was there before creation. He has an eternal pre-existence. He stands outside of creation; He does not belong to it; He Himself is not a creature. This He also shows by the fact that He upholds all things by His own power (Heb 1:3). He not only called everything into existence, but also the present existence is due to Him. Planets traverse their prescribed courses only because He guides them and upholds them. Should He withdraw His hand for a moment, this would simply mean the end of the world.

Col 1:18. After speaking of His glory as the Head over all creation, Paul says that the Lord Jesus is Head from another point of view. One can say that as He is the Head over the first or old creation, He also is the Head over the new creation. Head symbolizes authority and dominion as well as life and growth. This also applies to the new creation, the church, which owes its existence to Him. He is the church’s beginning and its origin (Rev 3:14). In the absolute sense He is the beginning of everything, while and because He Himself is without beginning.

However there is a big difference in the way the first creation originated and the way the second creation came into being. The first was created by the Word of His power (Gen 1:3 ; 6 ; 9 ; 11 ; 14 ; 20 ; 24; Psa 33:6 ; 9). In order to become the Head of the new creation He had to become Man and go through death to rise from it.

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus was the new beginning for God. Thus the church, called here the body, emerged. We can compare it with how Eve was built from Adam. God put Adam in a sleep of death. During this sleep of death God took a rib from his body and formed it into a woman. When Adam saw her he said: “This is now the bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh” (Gen 2:21-23). Paul applies this to Christ and the church (Eph 5:30). The church is the body of Christ and Christ is the Head. He directs His body and gives it what it needs.

The Lord Jesus has the first place not only in the first or the old creation, but He also is the Head and the Firstborn in the new creation. In the new creation He is the “firstborn from the dead”. This does not mean that He was the first to rise from the dead. People had risen from the dead earlier. But even here He is the Firstborn because He has the priority over any other who has risen from the dead or shall rise.

He is the First because by His resurrection He is alive for all eternity (Rev 1:18). By His resurrection He entered into another world which is now open for others. All who believe in Him will follow His resurrection. The special feature of this position is that by His resurrection He takes the first place in all things as Man.

As God He has the glory of the Creator. But He became Man in order to pass through death as Man. As Man He is risen from the dead and as Man He has ascended into heaven. He became Man in order to remain so forever. That does not lessen His glory but makes it greater.

Col 1:19. This is evident in the words “for it was the [Father’s] good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him” (Col 1:19). In the Lord Jesus – He is meant by “in Him” – dwells the triune God with joy. This was so when He came to earth, when He did the work of God and when He returned afterward to heaven. God is revealed in all His fullness without limitation, in the Person of Christ. In Him the triune God is involved with the new beginning. How great is His glory!

Now read Colossians 1:14-19 again.

Reflection: What are the glories of the Lord Jesus Christ you have discovered in this passage?

Reconciliation and Ministry

In the previous verses the glory of the Son as Head is presented in two ways:

1. He is Head over the creation.

2. He is Head in the resurrection.

You will see more glories which stand on the one side in connection with the old creation and on the other side with the new creation or resurrection.

Similarly there are also two reconciliations:

1. One of the creation.

2. One of the believers (saints) who form the church (Col 1:20-22).

Also there are two ministries which come from Him:

1. The ministry of the gospel that is preached to all creation.

2. The ministry to the church (Col 1:23-25).

Col 1:20. First we read about the reconciliation of all things, namely the creation. Reconciliation is the bringing about of a relationship of peace where first there was enmity (Rom 5:10). Enmity arose between man and God through sin. Man drew creation with him in his sin. Creation is still under the dominion of satan (Jn 12:31).

The Lord Jesus broke the power of satan through His work on the cross. The sin of the world will be taken away because of His once and for all accomplished work (Jn 1:29; Heb 9:26). The results of His work will be seen when the Lord Jesus will publicly exercise His authority. Authority has already been given to Him in heaven and on earth (Mt 28:18; Heb 1:8-9).

Peace can come because all that caused disturbance is taken away. This peace was made on the cross and will be enjoyed in the kingdom of peace and for all eternity. That will mean a great relief for all that is now groaning in pain under the evil and corrupting power of sin under satan (Rom 8:22).

This peace is based on the “blood of His cross” which is the cross of Christ. The Lord Jesus shed His blood on the cross. Peter calls it ‘the precious blood’ because it is the blood of a Lamb without blemish and without spot (1Pet 1:19). This basis is unassailable and holds its values for eternity. You can say this as follows: The basis of reconciliation is defined by the blood of the Lord Jesus, but the reconciliation of the things on earth and in heaven with God, still lies in the future.

The reconciliation of all things of course does not mean the reconciliation of all unconverted people and of satan and his demons. They will not be reconciled but subjected to Christ (Phil 2:10). It is all about the things on the earth and in the heavens, i.e. the material world. The doctrine of universal salvation is a gross heresy, a lie from satan.

Col 1:21. The reconciliation of all things lies in the future. Nevertheless there are people who are already reconciled, including you. Praise the Lord for that. You have faith in the shed blood of Christ for your sins. Once you stood outside of reconciliation, you were alienated from it, and you were even hostile to it. This was expressed in the wicked works you did.

Col 1:22. The Lord Jesus became Man in order that you could be reconciled. He bore your sins in “His own body on the cross” (1Pet 2:24). His death is the sure proof that He bore God’s judgment for your sins. Death, namely, is the wages of sin (Rom 6:23). At the same time, however, reconciliation took place through Christ’s death. His death is the sure foundation on which rests the reconciliation.

As a result you stand in the favor of God. He sees you as holy and perfect. Sin will no longer be counted against you. Nobody can bring a single accusation which can succeed against you. God, men and satan can find nothing on which they could lay their fingers. The death of Christ provided for everything.

Christ stands before you as the perfect result of His perfect work in the perfect light of God, and indeed no flaw can any longer be found against this. The just claims of God have been fully complied with by the atoning work of Christ so that no question can be raised against its legality.

Col 1:23. After the assurances faith offers, there comes an “if”. That seems to make the foregoing uncertain as though it depends on our commitment to have a part in it and to keep it. The power of this ‘if indeed’ however is that the chaff is separated from the wheat. The aim is to encourage faith and to condemn the self-confident nominal Christians.

A nominal Christian professes with the mouth that he is a Christian. But he has never gone to God with a remorse for his sins. He had never accepted in faith the power of the blood of Christ for the remission of sins. You have part in the foregoing blessings only if your faith is true, and you truly belong to the Lord. You should say ‘Yes’ whole heartedly to this. You will provide evidence that you remain in the faith that came to you through the gospel which you accepted.

What Paul says here is not to bring you eventually to doubt, but on the contrary to encourage you. You would certainly completely agree with Paul that faith is demonstrated by the fact that you are holding it, especially when resistance arises. With your faith you must deal with resistance, both by hostility from people and by the flattery of false teachers.

If your faith is true you are “firmly established and steadfast” and you are “not moved away from the hope of the gospel”. If your faith is not true, that will show up. The hope of the gospel is not to be saved by the gospel but is Christ. The gospel is not a summary of a number of rules that you must keep; the content of the gospel is a Person. If you are connected to Him by faith you will not want to allow anything that obscures or hides your view of Him. This desire for Him is present in everyone who loves Him in truth. I do not doubt that it is so with you also. You have heard this gospel exactly as the Colossians heard it (Col 1:6).

Paul became the minister of this gospel. The range of his ministry was the whole creation. The gospel is valid throughout the world and universally applicable (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15; Acts 1:8). His ministry was directed in a special way to all the nations that are under the heaven (Gal 2:7), though he certainly did not exclude the Jews. In his love for them wherever he went he first preached to them from the Word of God (Acts 13:46; Rom 1:16). But the gospel was not limited to the borders of Israel. It extended to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

All creation under heaven was the range of Paul’s service. Here you notice the fact that Christ is the Head over creation. As you have read, it embraces all things in heaven and on earth. This, at the same time, is the distinguishing feature of the gospel. The words “under heaven” show that the gospel is not preached in heaven but on earth. The gospel is addressed to the people on earth and not to the angels in heaven.

You saw the same distinguishing features by the two sides of reconciliation. The reconciliation of all things does not mean that all people will be reconciled. Only people who believe in the Lord Jesus will be reconciled. This happens at the very moment they confess their sins and believe that His blood covered their sins before God.

Paul became a minister of this gospel. The Lord Jesus appointed him to this ministry (1Tim 1:12). Formerly he was a blasphemer, a persecutor of the church (1Tim 1:13). Now he is both a preacher and a teacher (1Tim 2:7). He preached the gospel to all people and instructed those who became members of the church by believing the gospel. His ministry to the church is mentioned in the verses following.

Now read Colossians 1:20-23 again.

Reflection: What do you learn about reconciliation in these verses?