Free Bible Commentary
“Colossians 1:18-20”
Categories: Colossians“He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”
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Jesus is “the head of the body, the church” (verse 18). The church of Jesus Christ does not have a chief earthly ruler or headquarters. There is no ruling class or committee or governing body that makes policy, determines doctrine or delegates authority. Jesus reigns over His church kingdom seated at the right hand of His Father’s throne in heaven as Supreme Ruler. He has dictated His will and commands to us through the inspired revelation that has been perfectly preserved throughout the ages in the pages of the New Testament.
Jesus is the “firstborn from the dead.” He is not the first person to ever be resurrected from the dead, but He is the only one who has arisen by His own power and authority, and the only one to remain alive and in a glorified form after having arisen. Jesus holds “first place” or “preeminence in everything.” He is God in all “fullness” (verse 19), form (verse 15) and essence. He is the Creator of the Universe, and all things were made “through Him and for Him” (verse 17). He is the ruler of eternity, of all creation and of the church that He purchased “through the blood of His cross” (verse 20).
The Father chose Jesus, and Him alone, to “reconcile all things to Himself” and make “peace” between Himself and mankind (verse 20). There is no other way to an eternity with the Father in heaven than through the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ (John 14:6), and our faith in Him and obedience to His commands. The only way to live with God’s grace and favor, and to have things ultimately end well for you is to give Jesus “first place in everything” in your life.
Please read Colossians 1:21-23 for tomorrow.
- Louie Taylor
