Who are the the he's, him's and other personal pronouns referring to in Colossians 1:15-22?
These verses in Colossians 1:15-22 use the personal pronouns he, him, himself, etc. in these passages, and it is confusing for me to follow the personages. I believe most 'he's and 'him's' refer to Jesus, but would it be possible for someone to substitute 'Jesus' or 'God', instead of the personal pronouns so it is easier to understand. Thank you!
Colossians 1:15 - 22
ESV - 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him.
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Tim Maas
Supporter
I consulted a Greek interlinear translation of these verses (http://biblehub.com/interlinear/colossians/1.htm) to try to get a clear idea of the original wording.
The verses cited in the question expand on the statement in Colossians 1:12-14, which speak of God the Father having delivered us [that is, Christians] from the dominion of darkness [that is, the control of sin] and transferred us [Christians] to the kingdom of His [God the Father's] beloved Son [Jesus], in whom [that is, Jesus] we [Christians] have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Starting in verse 15, Paul then goes into more detail about Jesus: "He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, (and) the first-born of all creation; for in Him [once again, in Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities, or authorities -- all things were created through Him [Jesus] and for Him [Jesus]. He [Jesus] is before all things, and in Him [Jesus] all things hold together. He [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church; He [Jesus] is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, (so) that in everything He [Jesus] might be pre-eminent.
"For in Him [Jesus] all the fullness of God (the Father) was pleased to dwell (literally, "For in Him [Jesus], He [God the Father] was pleased for all the fullness to dwell"), and through Him [Jesus] to reconcile to Himself [God the Father] all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His [Jesus'] cross (literally, "having made peace through Him [Jesus] by the blood of His {Jesus'] cross.")
"And you [specifically, the Gentile Christians at Colossae to whom Paul was writing, but also applicable to all Christians], who once were estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He [God the Father] has now reconciled in His [Jesus'] body of flesh by His [Jesus'] death, in order to present you [the Colossian Christians, as well as all other Christians] holy and blameless and irreproachable before Him [God the Father]."
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
For Colossians 1:15-22 I am using the KJV, though I don't know what version the questioner is using. This whole section in Colossians 1:15-19 deals with the Deity of CHRIST and then the Glory of Christ (Colossians 1:17-19) CHRIST is the Creator (1:15–17) The false teachers were very confused about creation. They taught that matter was evil, including the human body. They also taught that Jesus Christ did not have a real body since this would have put Him in contact with evil matter. The results of these false teachings were tragic, including extreme asceticism on the one hand and unbridled sin on the other. After all, if your body is sinful, you either try to enslave it or you enjoy it. In this section, Paul explained the fourfold relationship of Jesus Christ to creation. This whole section in Colossians 1:15-19 deals with the Deity of CHRIST and then the Glory of Christ (Colossians 1:17-19) When asked to preach a sermon for an Arizona Bible College student body chapel service, I chose the book of Colossians and quoted it because I didn't know how to preach a sermon. I loved my 3 years @ ABC for in their chapel they had Colossians 1:18 hung: “…that in all things He might have the preeminence.” The Deity of CHRIST 1 All God’s Personality is centered in Him (Colossians 1:15) 2 All God’s Power is centered in Him (Colossians 1:16-17) a. He created the universe (Colossians 1:16a) He created all things (v. 16a). Since Christ created all things, He Himself is uncreated. The word for that introduces this verse could be translated “because.” Jesus Christ is the Firstborn of all because He created all things. It is no wonder that the winds and waves obeyed Him, and diseases and death fled from Him, for He is Master over all. “All things were made by him” (John 1:3). This includes all things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible. All things are under His command. --WWW b. He claims the universe (Colossians 1:16a) He created all things (v. 16a). Since Christ created all things, He Himself is uncreated. The word for that introduces this verse could be translated “because.” Jesus Christ is the Firstborn of all because He created all things. It is no wonder that the winds and waves obeyed Him, and diseases and death fled from Him, for He is Master over all. “All things were made by him” (John 1:3). This includes all things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible. All things are under His command. --WWW c. He controls the universe (Colossians 1:17) He holds all things together (v. 17). “In him all things hold together” (NIV). all things, and by Him all things hold together. Indeed, this is my Father’s world!--WWW 3 All God’s Purposes are centered in Him (Colossians 1:18-19) a. His Absolute Sovereignty (Colossians 1:18a) b. His Absolute Superiority (Colossians 1:18a) (1) He originated Divine life (2) He overcame Death (“the firstborn from the Dead”, Colossians 1:19) c. His Absolute Sufficiency (Colossians 1:19) Since Bible College, I have found this outline and used it in preaching in church/churches. For the outline detailing the Glory of CHRIST, I see it in The Glory of Christ 1 All things were created by Him Col. 1:17 2 All things were created for Him Col. 1:16 3 All things are reconciled by Him Col. 1:20 4 All things consist by Him Col. 1:17 5 All things came into being after Him Col. 1:17 6 All things are under Him Col. 1:18 7 All fulness dwells in Him Col. 1:19C ‘This is my Friend’ (Song of Solomon 5:16) JS.FS.
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