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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Colossians 1:15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/colossians/1-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/51_Col_01_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Colossians 1:15 - The Supremacy of Christ" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/colossians/1-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/colossians/1-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/colossians/">Colossians</a> > <a href="/colossians/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/colossians/1-14.htm" title="Colossians 1:14">◄</a> Colossians 1:15 <a href="/colossians/1-16.htm" title="Colossians 1:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/colossians/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/colossians/1.htm">New International Version</a> The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. <a href="/nlt/colossians/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, <a href="/esv/colossians/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. <a href="/bsb/colossians/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. <a href="/blb/colossians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, <a href="/kjv/colossians/1.htm">King James Bible</a> Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: <a href="/nkjv/colossians/1.htm">New King James Version</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. <a href="/nasb_/colossians/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: <a href="/nasb/colossians/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. <a href="/nasb77/colossians/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. <a href="/lsb/colossians/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. <a href="/amp/colossians/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation. <a href="/csb/colossians/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. <a href="/hcsb/colossians/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. <a href="/asv/colossians/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; <a href="/cev/colossians/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Christ is exactly like God, who cannot be seen. He is the first-born Son, superior to all creation. <a href="/erv/colossians/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; <a href="/gwt/colossians/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. <a href="/gnt/colossians/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things. <a href="/isv/colossians/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. <a href="/msb/colossians/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. <a href="/net/colossians/1.htm">NET Bible</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, <a href="/nheb/colossians/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. <a href="/wbt/colossians/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature: <a href="/wey/colossians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Christ is the visible representation of the invisible God, the Firstborn and Lord of all creation. <a href="/web/colossians/1.htm">World English Bible</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/colossians/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> who is the image of the invisible God, firstborn of all creation, <a href="/blb/colossians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, <a href="/ylt/colossians/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> who is the image of the invisible God, first-born of all creation, <a href="/slt/colossians/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/colossians/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: <a href="/cpdv/colossians/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature. <a href="/nabre/colossians/1.htm">New American Bible</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. <a href="/nrsvce/colossians/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/colossians/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> He is the image of the invisible God, and the first-born of every creature: <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/colossians/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> He who is the image of The Unseen God and is The Firstborn of all creation.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/colossians/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature; <a href="/godbey/colossians/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> who is the image of the invisible God, being the first begotten of all creation, <a href="/haweis/colossians/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Who is the image of the invisible God, the prime author of all creation: <a href="/mace/colossians/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> he is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of the whole creation. <a href="/wey/colossians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Christ is the visible representation of the invisible God, the Firstborn and Lord of all creation. <a href="/worrell/colossians/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Who is the image of the invisible God, Primal Source of all creation; <a href="/worsley/colossians/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of the whole creation: <a href="/parallel/colossians/1-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7q-K-qsfihQ?start=124" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/colossians/1.htm">The Supremacy of Christ</a> 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15<a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: Hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">The Son</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1504.htm" title="1504: eikōn (N-NFS) -- An image, likeness, bust. From eiko; a likeness, i.e. statue, profile, or representation, resemblance.">the image</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/517.htm" title="517: aoratou (Adj-GMS) -- Unseen, invisible. Invisible.">invisible</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God,</a> <a href="/greek/4416.htm" title="4416: prōtotokos (Adj-NMS) -- First-born, eldest. From protos and the alternate of tikto; first-born.">the firstborn</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pasēs (Adj-GFS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">over all</a> <a href="/greek/2937.htm" title="2937: ktiseōs (N-GFS) -- From ktizo; original formation.">creation.</a> 16For in Him all things were created, things 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. <a href="/hebrews/1-2.htm">Hebrews 1:2-3</a> But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. / The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. <a href="/philippians/2-6.htm">Philippians 2:6</a> Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, <a href="/1_corinthians/8-6.htm">1 Corinthians 8:6</a> yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist. <a href="/revelation/3-14.htm">Revelation 3:14</a> To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation. <a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Genesis 1:26-27</a> Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” / So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. <a href="/proverbs/8-22.htm">Proverbs 8:22-31</a> The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. / From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. / When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water. ... <a href="/john/14-9.htm">John 14:9</a> Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? <a href="/2_corinthians/4-4.htm">2 Corinthians 4:4</a> The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. <a href="/hebrews/1-6.htm">Hebrews 1:6</a> And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.” <a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a> The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. <a href="/romans/8-29.htm">Romans 8:29</a> For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. <a href="/ephesians/1-20.htm">Ephesians 1:20-23</a> which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, / far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. / And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, ... <a href="/john/17-5.htm">John 17:5</a> And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6</a> For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div> Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:the image.<a href="/exodus/24-10.htm">Exodus 24:10</a> And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.<a href="/numbers/12-8.htm">Numbers 12:8</a> With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?<a href="/ezekiel/1-26.htm">Ezekiel 1:26-28</a> And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it… the invisible.<a href="/1_timothy/1-17.htm">1 Timothy 1:17</a> Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.<a href="/1_timothy/6-16.htm">1 Timothy 6:16</a> Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.<a href="/hebrews/11-27.htm">Hebrews 11:27</a> By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.the firstborn.<a href="/colossians/1-13.htm">Colossians 1:13</a> Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:<a href="/psalms/89-27.htm">Psalm 89:27</a> Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a> And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.of every.<a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16,17</a> For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: … <a href="/proverbs/8-29.htm">Proverbs 8:29-31</a> When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: … <a href="/revelation/3-14.htm">Revelation 3:14</a> And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/colossians/1-7.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-10.htm">Creation</a> <a href="/galatians/6-15.htm">Creature</a> <a href="/philippians/3-20.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/romans/8-29.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/romans/8-29.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/philippians/3-21.htm">Image</a> <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Invisible</a> <a href="/acts/21-31.htm">Representation</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-18.htm">Unseen</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-14.htm">Visible</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/colossians/1-24.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/colossians/1-23.htm">Creation</a> <a href="/colossians/1-23.htm">Creature</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-6.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/colossians/1-18.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/colossians/1-18.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/colossians/2-17.htm">Image</a> <a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Invisible</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-5.htm">Representation</a> <a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Unseen</a> <a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Visible</a><div class="vheading2">Colossians 1</div>1. <a href="/colossians/1-1.htm">After salutation Paul thanks God for the Colossians' faith;</a> 7. <a href="/colossians/1-7.htm">confirms the doctrine of Epaphras;</a> 9. <a href="/colossians/1-9.htm">prays further for their increase in grace;</a> 14. <a href="/colossians/1-14.htm">describes the supremacy of Christ;</a> 21. <a href="/colossians/1-21.htm">encourages them to receive Jesus Christ, and commends his own ministry.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/colossians/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/colossians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/colossians/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>The Son is the image of the invisible God This phrase emphasizes the unique nature of Jesus Christ as the perfect representation of God. In biblical context, "image" implies a likeness or representation. Jesus embodies the fullness of God, making the invisible God known to humanity. This aligns with <a href="/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18</a>, where Jesus is described as the one who has made God known. The concept of God being invisible is rooted in passages like <a href="/exodus/33-20.htm">Exodus 33:20</a>, where God tells Moses that no one can see His face and live. Jesus, therefore, serves as the visible manifestation of God's character and essence. This also connects to <a href="/hebrews/1-3.htm">Hebrews 1:3</a>, which describes the Son as the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being."the firstborn over all creation The term "firstborn" here is not about chronological birth order but rather signifies preeminence and authority. In ancient cultures, the firstborn son held a place of honor and inheritance rights. Biblically, this term is used to denote supremacy and priority, as seen in <a href="/psalms/89-27.htm">Psalm 89:27</a>, where God says He will make David the "firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth." In the context of Colossians, it underscores Christ's authority over all creation, affirming His role in creation itself, as further elaborated in <a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16-17</a>. This phrase also refutes early heresies that attempted to diminish Christ's divine nature, asserting instead His eternal existence and sovereign rule over the universe.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_son.htm">The Son (Jesus Christ)</a> Central to this verse, Jesus is described as the image of the invisible God, emphasizing His divine nature and role in creation. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The invisible God, whose nature and character are perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ. 3. <a href="/topical/c/creation.htm">Creation</a> Refers to the entirety of the universe, over which Christ holds preeminence as the "firstborn."<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/christ's_divine_nature.htm">Christ's Divine Nature</a> Jesus is not merely a reflection but the exact image of God, affirming His divinity and equality with God. <a href="/topical/p/preeminence_of_christ.htm">Preeminence of Christ</a> As the firstborn over all creation, Jesus holds authority and supremacy, reminding believers of His rightful place in their lives. <a href="/topical/r/revelation_of_god.htm">Revelation of God</a> In Jesus, the invisible God is made visible, providing a perfect revelation of God's character and will. <a href="/topical/r/relationship_with_creation.htm">Relationship with Creation</a> Understanding Jesus' role in creation encourages believers to view the world through the lens of His sovereignty and purpose. <a href="/topical/i/imitating_christ.htm">Imitating Christ</a> As the image of God, Jesus serves as the ultimate example for believers to emulate in their daily lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_colossians_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Colossians 1</a> <a href="/q/does_'firstborn'_mean_christ_had_a_beginning.htm">Colossians 1:15 – If Christ is “the firstborn of all creation,” doesn’t that imply he had a beginning, contradicting the claim of his eternal nature? </a> <a href="/q/is_jesus_the_firstborn_of_creation.htm">Is Jesus considered the firstborn of creation?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_christ's_supremacy_signify.htm">What does Christ's supremacy signify?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_image_of_the_invisible_god.htm">What is the image of the invisible God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/colossians/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) The image of the invisible God.--This all important clause needs the most careful examination. We note accordingly (1) that the word "image" (like the word "form," <a href="/context/philippians/2-6.htm" title="Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:">Philippians 2:6-7</a>) is used in the New Testament for real and essential embodiment, as distinguished from mere likeness. Thus in <a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm" title="For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.">Hebrews 10:1</a> we read, "The law, having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things;" we note also in <a href="/romans/1-23.htm" title="And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.">Romans 1:23</a> the distinction between the mere outward "likeness" and the "image" which it represented; we find in <a href="/1_corinthians/15-49.htm" title="And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.">1Corinthians 15:49</a> that the "image of the earthy" and "the image of the heavenly" Adam denote actual identity of nature with both; and in <a href="/2_corinthians/3-18.htm" title="But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.">2Corinthians 3:18</a> the actual work of the Spirit in the heart is described as "changing us from glory to glory" into "the image" of the glorified Christ. (2) Next we observe that although, speaking popularly, St. Paul in <a href="/1_corinthians/11-7.htm" title="For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, for as much as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.">1Corinthians 11:7</a> calls man "the image and glory of God," yet the allusion is to <a href="/genesis/1-26.htm" title="And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.">Genesis 1:26</a>; <a href="/genesis/1-28.htm" title="And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.">Genesis 1:28</a>, where man is said, with stricter accuracy, to be made "after the image of God" (as in <a href="/ephesians/4-24.htm" title="And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.">Ephesians 4:24</a>, "created after God"), and this more accurate expression is used in <a href="/colossians/3-10.htm" title=" And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:">Colossians 3:10</a> of this Epistle, "renewed after the image of Him that created him." Who then, or what, is the "image of God," after which man is created? St. Paul here emphatically (as in <a href="/2_corinthians/4-4.htm" title="In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.">2Corinthians 4:4</a> parenthetically) answers "Christ," as the Son of God, "first-born before all creation." The same truth is conveyed in a different form, clearer (if possible) even than this, in <a href="/hebrews/1-3.htm" title="Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:">Hebrews 1:3</a>, where "the Son" is said to be not only "the brightness of the glory of the Father," but "the express image of His Person." For the word "express image" is character in the original, used here (as when we speak of the alphabetical "characters") to signify the visible drawn image, and the word "Person" is substance or essence. (3) It is not to be forgotten that at this time in the Platonising Judaism of Philo, "the Word" was called the eternal "image of God." (See passages quoted in Dr. Light-foot's note on this passage.) This expression was not peculiar to him; it was but a working out of that personification of the "wisdom of God," of which we have a magnificent example in <a href="/context/proverbs/8-22.htm" title="The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.">Proverbs 8:22-30</a>, and of which we trace the effect in the Alexandrine Book of "Wisdom" (<a href="//apocrypha.org/wisdom_of_solomon/7-25.htm" title="For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her.">Wisdom Of Solomon 7:25-26</a>). "Wisdom is the breath of the power of God, and a pure stream from the glory of the Most High--the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of His goodness." It seems to have represented in the Jewish schools the idea complementary to the ordinary idea of the Messiah in the Jewish world. Just as St. John took up the vague idea of "the Word," and gave it a clear divine personality in Christ, so St. Paul seems to act here in relation to the other phrase, used as a description of the Word. In Christ he fixes in solid reality the floating vision of the "image of God." (4) There is an emphasis on the words "of the invisible God." Now, since the whole context shows that the reference is to the eternal pre-existence of Christ, ancient interpreters (of whom Chrysostom may be taken as the type) argued that the image of the invisible must be also invisible. But this seems opposed to the whole idea of the word "image," and to its use in the New Testament and elsewhere. The true key to this passage is in our Lord's own words in <a href="/john/1-8.htm" title="He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.">John 1:8</a>, "No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son" (here is the remarkable reading, "the only begotten God"), "who is in the bosom of the Father, He hath revealed Him." In anticipation of the future revelation of Godhead, Christ, even as pre-existent, is called "The image of the invisible God." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/colossians/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. (a) Who is Image of God the invisible, Firstborn of all creation: <a href="/commentaries/colossians/1-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[The Son] Ὅς (Hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. [the] image εἰκὼν (eikōn) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1504.htm">Strong's 1504: </a> An image, likeness, bust. From eiko; a likeness, i.e. statue, profile, or representation, resemblance. of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. invisible ἀοράτου (aoratou) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> Unseen, invisible. Invisible. God, Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [the] firstborn πρωτότοκος (prōtotokos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4416.htm">Strong's 4416: </a> First-born, eldest. From protos and the alternate of tikto; first-born. over all πάσης (pasēs) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. creation. κτίσεως (ktiseōs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2937.htm">Strong's 2937: </a> From ktizo; original formation. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">NT Letters: Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible (Coloss. 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