Bible Questions and Answers

A visitor writes,

"Can you explained Colossians 1:16 and 17? (with references and verses and concise explanation)"

Colossians 1:16  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 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 may have the preeminence.

‘By’ him is an incorrect translation.

The world was not made by Jesus it was made by God.

The word translated ‘by’ - Greek ‘en’ <1722> has a breadth of meaning.

One of it's meanings is 'because of':

Matthew 6:7 NRSV "When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because <1722> of their many words.

Matthew 11:6  "And blessed is he who is not offended because <1722> of Me."

Matthew 26:31  Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because <1722> of Me <1722> this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

Matthew 26:33  Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because <1722> of You, I will never be made to stumble."

Mark 14:27  Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because <1722> of Me <1722> this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered.’

Luke 7:23  "And blessed is he who is not offended because <1722> of Me."

 “All things were created through Him and for Him”

‘Through’ him is another incorrect translation.

The word translated ‘through’ - Greek 'dia' <1223> also has a breadth of meaning:

One of it's meanings is 'because of'

Matthew 13:6  And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because <1223> they had no root, they withered away.

Matthew 13:58  And he did not many mighty works there because <1223> of their unbelief.

Matthew 17:20  And Jesus said unto them, Because <1223> of your unbelief:

‘All things were created… for Him’.

This is the correct understanding.

God created all things, not Jesus. God made all things for the son he would father some 4000 years later.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Jesus confirms that God made Adam and Eve:

Matthew 19:4  And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5  "and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6  "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

Jesus is God’s son. He existed only in the purpose of God before he was conceived in the womb of Mary.

God has created all things for, or ‘because of’ or ‘on account of’, his son.

Thus, God has made Jesus the heir of all things, and in the future all things will be subject to him. 

Jesus was not just the reason for God’s creation, he also played a key role in it’s outworking. His perfect obedience and sacrifice was necessary for God’s purpose to be fulfilled.

When that time comes Jesus will be subject to his Father.

1 Corinthians 15:28  Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

I hope this helps.

God bless,

Glenn