What parallel can be found to His example, so perfect and so fascinating, that of a man that men may see, and admire, and imitate; while it contains in itself, at the same time, the secret might of Divinity to mould into its blessed resemblance the heart of all His followers who are “changed into the same image from glory to glory”? An admirable summary of the Christian doctrine concerning the operation of the Spirit, the person of the Redeemer, the work of redemption, and the preaching of it in the gospel, Colossians 1:12-29. “According to the economy of God.” An old word from οικονομεω — oikonomeō to be a house steward (οικοσ νεμω — oikosπληρωσαι τον λογον του τεου — nemō) as in Luke 16:2-4; 1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:9. But all power belongs to Christ, in heaven and in earth; and therefore no one member of his mystical body can perish for lack of power in him to save it. Introduction. . He has won for Himself an imperishable renown. Christ was the first Person to rise from the dead with a glorified body never to die again. This double compound (απο κατα — apoαλλασσω — kata with καταλλασσω — allassō) occurs only here, Colossians 1:22; Ephesians 2:16, and nowhere else so far as known. ῞ος ἐστιν ἀρχή—“Who is the beginning.” This term has been variously understood. Colossians 1:16. His power knows no limit of operation, and is unexhausted by effort. Of the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). In addition you can use the Interlinear Bible and much more to enhance your understanding of God's word. But He is the most important of all who have been raised from the dead; for without His resurrection, there could be no resurrection for others ( 1 Corinthians 15:20 ff.)." God rescued us out from (εκ — ek) the power (εχουσιας — exousias) of the kingdom of darkness (σκοτους — skotous) in which we were held as slaves. itunes Podcast. 9, 8, 3; Plutarch, De Educat. It was the, that everywhere and in all things the incarnate Christ should. The image (εικων — eikōn). Sonship and resurrection are similarly connected (Luke 20:36; Romans 1:4; 1 John 3:2). Jesus is first also in the spiritual realm as he is in nature (verses 18-20). Chapter 2. Search using our Online Bible by Topic, Verse Reference or Phrase. Click to Sign Now! ], "Prototokos ["first-born"], used in both parts of the passage ( Colossians 1:15; Colossians 1:18) unites His supremacy in the two realms, creation and salvation (cf. In addition you can use the Interlinear Bible and much more to enhance your understanding of God's word. In order that in all things he might become preeminent. On εικων — eikōn see 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29; Colossians 3:10. Having heard of (ακουσαντες — akousantes). --- The first-born from the dead; i.e. The Head of principalities and powers. Also included links to commentaries, concordances, dictionaries, encyclopedia and lexicons. ], "In St. Paul"s day, according to popular psychology, both Greek and Hebrew, a man reasoned and purposed, not "with his head," but "in his heart" ..." [Note: Ibid, p212.]. Was ever suffering like His in origin, intensity, nature, or design? you, being dead — formerly (Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 2:2); even as Christ was among the dead, before that God raised Him “from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).. sins — rather as Greek is translated at end of this verse, “trespasses,” literally, “failings aside” from God‘s ways; actual transgressions, as that of Adam. ", "Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession", "I pray for them—I pray not for the world, but for those who you have given me; for they are yours. That (in order that) in all things; ‘on all sides, in wisdom, holiness, might, death-over-coming power, dominion and glory, as respects the world as well as the Church’ (Braune). First aorist middle indicative of ρυομαι — ruomai old verb, to rescue. But however truly blessed this doctrine Isaiah, it is only when we are quickened and made alive unto God by a spiritual birth that we savingly and experimentally know and realize it; and we are, for the most part, led into it thus. And all mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I am glorified in them." It is out of the question, on the part of Bullinger, Keuchenius, Aretius, Erasmus, and Schleiermacher, to connect ἀρχή with πρωτότοκος-an abstract with a concrete. He is the beginning. If any member of our body perish, if we lose an arm or a leg, it is because we have not power to prevent it. Now I rejoice (νυν χαιρομεν — nun chairomen). Colossians 1:18 reveals another headship and glory. 1. . Therefore, the "true church" will always be composed of those people who are listening to the head (; Ephesians 5:23; 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 John 1:9). Preeminence—In order that in all things he might become preeminent. It can be the accusative of general reference followed by anacoluthon. And He has pre-eminence as Creator, for creation is His special work. Colossians 4:17 - Say to Archippus, 'Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.' pro teuo. Note also here πιστις — pistis (faith), αγαπη — agapē (love), ελπις — elpis (hope), though not grouped together so sharply as in 1 Corinthians 13:13. The apostle now commences the second portion of the paragraph, and portrays Christ's relation to the Church. So Jesus by His unction was designated as the Head of the body, the Church. Colossians. They have been crucified with Him (Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24; Galatians 6:14; Romans 6:5-6; Romans 7:4; Ephesians 2:16 ), they have risen with Him (Romans 6:4-6; Ephesians 2:1-6), they are one with Him (Ephesians 5:31-32; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13) and the bread at the Lord’s Table represents both Him and them (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). ", 5. We can give our minds over to a lot of things, for instance, to our jobs - and there is a place for that. But the Son has another nature, one in person with His Deity. In short, there is such wondrous singularity in the glory of Christ's person and work, so much that gives Him a radiance all His own, and an elevation high and apart, that it may be truly said, that in all things He has the pre-eminence. “The church at Colossae was the least important of any to which Paul‘s epistles were addressed” (Vincent). Because of the hope (δια την ελπιδα — dia tēn elpida). When the word "nacham" is used for God in a negation (e.g. Paul is giving a reason for the position of the Son as . These spiritual gifts possess a special value, as springing from His blood, and as being applied by His Spirit. This appositional relative clause further describes God the Father‘s redemptive work and marks the transition to the wonderful picture of the person and work of Christ in nature and grace in Colossians 1:14-20, a full and final answer to the Gnostic depreciation of Jesus Christ by speculative philosophy and to all modern efforts after a “reduced” picture of Christ. This aorist active infinitive may express purpose or result. Of Christ Jesus (Χριστου Ιησου — Christou Iēsou). If the clause referred simply to the νεκροί, of which Jesus is the first-born, then we should have expected the article- ἐν τοῖς πᾶσιν. In addition you can use the Interlinear Bible and much more to enhance your understanding of God's word. Not any angel or mere created being, but the Son, who has this high dignity, is the head of the Church. Also included links to commentaries, concordances, dictionaries, encyclopedia and lexicons. Colossians 1:26 - that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, on StudyLight.org StudyLıght .org . “God willed” this change from hidden mystery to manifestation. His truth is pure as the solar beam, and the fulness of infinite love dwells in His heart. But He is the most important of all who have been raised from the dead; for without His resurrection, there could be no resurrection for others (, "And he is the head of the body, the church. All things (τα παντα — ta panta). Will any man willingly allow his eye, or his hand, or his foot, or even the tip of his little finger, to be taken out or cut off? COLOSSIANS presents Christ who is “the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18). ‘That in all things He might have the pre-eminence.’ Both old and new creation owe their being and continuing existence to Him. The city of Philippi was built as a military position by Philip the Great of Macedon to keep the wild Thracians in check, which were the neighbors of the Macedonians. His people shall be raised in immortal youth and beauty; their vile bodies fashioned like unto His glorious body, and therefore no longer animal frames, but so etherealized and attempered as to be able to dwell in a world which “flesh and blood cannot inherit”-to see God and yet live, to bear upon them without exhaustion the exceeding weight of glory, and to serve, love, and enjoy the unvailed Divinity without end. Formatting issue in the NIV '84 edition has been resolved. He became this at His resurrection when He became the first-born from the dead in time. He shews, therefore, that it is Christ that alone has authority to govern the Church, that it is he to whom alone believers ought to have an eye, and on whom alone the unity of the body depends. Προ — Pro with the ablative case. He was the first to conquer death – rising from the dead never to be recaptured by death. Also included links to commentaries, concordances, dictionaries, encyclopedia and lexicons. "PREEMINENCE"-4409. proteuo {prote-yoo"-o}; from 4413; to be first (in rank or influence): -have the preeminence. It may also be taken as epexegetical of (so Weiss and Haupt, who quotes 1 Corinthians 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:5, Romans 4:11; Romans 8:21; Romans 15:16 as parallels, all of which, however, are not clear). Thus absolutely in His divine nature, relatively to the mediatorial kingdom in His humanity, He is “the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Revelation 1:8; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 1:17-18). Even here, however, He is First; for He has visibility, which the Father and Spirit have not; and He is the God of the universe whom it sees, recognizes, and adores. Mankind isn"t faced with a "legacy", but a living Christ! the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Had he known everything but death, how could he have known men who were taken out of the earth, and shaped out into the Divine likeness, and made alive by the Divine breath? “And He is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, that in all things He might have the preeminence.” From creation the Holy Spirit now leads us to another sphere, that of Redemption. Just as the Colossians heard the good news of Christ from Epaphras, Paul heard the good news of their love from him. If we held the close and sole connection of πρωτεύων with πρωτότοκος, we should be obliged to keep this view partially, but not to its full extent; for, in respect to the dead, as now dead, Jesus stands out as the First who has so risen from a similar state. And you (και υμας — kai humās). Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. It does not mean that. Christ was the first Person to rise from the dead with a glorified body never to die again. The head of the body (η κεπαλη του σωματος — hē kephalē tou sōmatos). Colossians 2:19. Who is the beginning. 2. This order in the later epistles shows that Χριστος — Christos is now regarded as a proper name and not just a verbal adjective (Anointed One, Messiah). Verse 14. c. His relation to the Church, Colossians 1:18. If so be that ye continue in the faith (ει γε επιμενετε τηι πιστει — ei ge epimenete tēi pistei). For Christians as the members of Christ’s body, Ephesians 5:30, 1 Corinthians 12:27. His Headship stresses His supremacy, not a direct connection with the body. "And he is the head of the body, the Church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence?—( Colossians 1:18). Paul, however, does not allow this honor even to angels, and yet he does not maim the Church, by depriving her of her head; for as Christ claims for himself this title, so he truly exercises the office. St. Paul was accustomed to contemplate the Church as it should be. 1. It is only in Colossians and Ephesians that Christ appears as Head of the Church, but the emphasis in Colossians is on the Headship, in Ephesians on the Church.— : often taken as in apposition to . . Paulâ s Prayer for the Church at Colossae. is the more prominent, the meaning will be that He is the first to pass out of the dominion of death. Are not His instructions without a rival in adaptation, amount, and power? It refers to His sovereignty over the body, a body which is made up of Himself and His people united with Him. Christ's primogeniture is threefold: (1) From eternity the "first-begotten" of the Father (Colossians 1:15); (2) The first-born of His mother (Matthew 1:25); (3) The Head of the Church, mystically begotten of the Father, to a new life, at His resurrection, which is His "regeneration," even as His people's coming resurrection will be their "regeneration" (i:e., the resurrection which, begun in the soul, shall extend to the body and to the whole creation (Matthew 19:28; Acts 13:33; Romans 8:11; Romans 8:21-23; Revelation 1:5). See the claim of Jesus to eternal timeless existence in John 8:58; John 17:5. Also included links to commentaries, concordances, dictionaries, encyclopedia and lexicons. Colossians. 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