A note from our Pastor:

“And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Colossians 1:17

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

The Apostle Paul has laid out Christ’s attributes in the prior verses, which were one long sentence made up of many clauses. Now, with our study verse this week, the sentence comes to a close. In this closing thought, the Apostle presents two final attributes of Christ.

The Apostle begins by saying, Christ is “before all things.” In the context, the words have a clear meaning. Christ indeed has supreme dignity. As such, he should be placed before all else in the lives of his disciples. However, that is not the application in this particular verse.

In this verse, the Apostle is continuing thoughts of the creation. The meaning of being before all things indicates that God, and Christ as part of God, alone has always existed. All other things have been created but there is no beginning with God. Jesus Christ said during his earthly ministry that he is the “I am.” That is he is eternally present. In John, he told those listening that “before Abraham, I am,” thus the phrase means not supremely divine in this context but instead always existing.

The second phrase, “by him all things consist” is not merely a repeating of Christ being the creator of all things. This phrase could also be translated as hold together in unity. In other words, by the power of God, and in that of Jesus Christ, all things were not only created but are sustained. This does not mean Christ manipulates or controls all things on a regularly. Rather, by his grace and mercy the world continues on and life is sustained.

This description of the attributes of Christ by the Apostle is not exhaustive, nor could any list be. It is an incredible description and well worth the time to study and learn.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah