The Preeminence of Christ

15 (A)He is the image of (B)the invisible God, (C)the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[a] him all things were created, (D)in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether (E)thrones or (F)dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created (G)through him and for him. 17 And (H)he is before all things, and in him all things (I)hold together. 18 And (J)he is the head of the body, the church. He is (K)the beginning, (L)the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For (M)in him all the (N)fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and (O)through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, (P)making peace (Q)by the blood of his cross.

21 (R)And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, (S)doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled (T)in his body of flesh by his death, (U)in order to present you holy and blameless and (V)above reproach before him, 23 (W)if indeed you continue in the faith, (X)stable and steadfast, not shifting from (Y)the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed (Z)in all creation[b] under heaven, (AA)and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:16 That is, by means of; or in
  2. Colossians 1:23 Or to every creature

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 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:

17 And he is before all things, and by 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 might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

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