Colossians 1:16 kjv

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:

Colossians 1:16 nkjv

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.

Colossians 1:16 niv

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:16 esv

For by him all things were created, 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.

Colossians 1:16 nlt

for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can't see ?
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.

Colossians 1 verses

Colossians 1 16 Meaning

Colossians 1:16 proclaims the absolute and universal preeminence of Jesus Christ in creation. It asserts that He is the sole, active agent through whom all existence, both seen and unseen, originated. Every part of the cosmos, from the physical realm to the highest spiritual powers, was not only brought into being by Him but also finds its ultimate purpose and telos in Him. This declaration profoundly establishes Christ as the Lord of creation, thereby undergirding His supreme authority over all things, including the church.

Colossians 1 16 Context

Colossians 1:16 is central to the "hymn to Christ's supremacy" (Col 1:15-20), which serves as a powerful theological declaration embedded within Paul's letter. The entire chapter emphasizes the Person and Work of Christ, setting the stage for Paul's warnings against false teachings. In Colossae, believers were facing a syncretistic philosophy that blended elements of Judaism, Hellenistic thought, and possibly incipient Gnostic ideas. This heresy challenged Christ's sole sufficiency by promoting angel worship, ascetic practices, and the belief in secret knowledge attained through adherence to certain rituals or spiritual beings (likely "elemental spirits of the world" referenced later, Col 2:8). Colossians 1:16 directly counters these notions by asserting that all spiritual entities, regardless of their perceived rank ("thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities"), are themselves created by Christ. This foundational truth demolishes any basis for worshipping or appealing to them as intermediaries or superior powers. It establishes Christ's unqualified sovereignty as Creator, Sustainer, and Goal of the universe, rendering all other purported spiritual hierarchies subservient to Him and therefore incapable of competing with His unique authority.

Colossians 1 16 Word analysis

• For (hoti): This conjunction connects Col 1:16 directly to the previous verse (Col 1:15), explaining why Christ is "the firstborn of all creation" and "the image of the invisible God"—because He is the Creator of everything. It establishes a logical basis for His preeminence.

• by him (ἐν αὐτῷ - en autō): The Greek preposition en with the dative often denotes sphere, agency, or instrument. Here, it signifies that Christ is not merely the instrument used by another, but the active agent in whom and by whom creation occurred. It emphasizes Christ's profound involvement and ultimate authorship. This is a robust statement of His deity and participation in the Trinitarian act of creation.

• all things (τὰ πάντα - ta panta): This emphatic phrase stresses comprehensive universality. It means absolutely everything without exception. The article ta before panta further universalizes the statement, indicating "the whole sum of all things." This inclusive language serves as a direct rebuttal to any philosophy that might exclude certain realms from Christ's sovereignty.

• were created (ἐκτίσθη - ektisthē): An aorist passive verb, indicating a definite, completed action in the past. It highlights that creation is a finished work, established by God through Christ. The passive voice implies that while God is the ultimate initiator, Christ is the effective agent of this creative act.

• in heaven and on earth (ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς): Specifies the full spatial scope of creation. It encompasses the entirety of both the celestial and terrestrial realms, leaving no dimension or domain outside of Christ's creative activity.

• visible and invisible (ὁρατὰ καὶ ἀόρατα - horata kai aorata): Differentiates between what can be perceived by the senses and what cannot. This clarifies that Christ's creation extends beyond the physical universe to encompass the spiritual realities and beings that humans cannot see, directly addressing potential false teachings about independent unseen powers.

• whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities (εἴτε θρόνοι εἴτε κυριότητες εἴτε ἀρχαὶ εἴτε ἐξουσίαι - eite thronoi eite kyriotētes eite archai eite exousiai): These are specific categories of spiritual beings, often understood as angelic or cosmic powers, frequently referenced in ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman contexts, and particularly in emerging Gnostic ideas.

  • Thrones (thronoi): May refer to celestial seats of power, suggesting supreme divine authorities.
  • Dominions (kyriotētes): Imply lordship or sovereignty, indicating beings who possess a high degree of rule or authority.
  • Rulers (archai): Signify originators, first-order powers, or those holding high rank. These can be angelic or demonic powers, or cosmic principles.
  • Authorities (exousiai): Denotes powers or capabilities, often referring to delegated authority or influential forces.
  • The listing of these specific terms, which false teachers might have elevated, serves to firmly assert that all such spiritual entities, regardless of their rank or perceived influence, are themselves creatures of Christ. They are not independent deities or mediators but are entirely subordinate to Him.

• all things were created through him (τὰ πάντα δι’ αὐτοῦ ἔκτισται - ta panta di autou ektistai): This phrase repeats the universality of "all things" for emphasis, but crucially shifts the preposition to dia with the genitive. Dia autou ("through him") emphasizes Christ's mediating role as the effective channel or means of creation. The perfect passive tense (ektistai) indicates an enduring result of this creative act—they stand as created entities. This distinct phrasing from en autō further reinforces Christ's unique and indispensable position in the entire process of creation.

• and for him (καὶ εἰς αὐτόν - kai eis auton): The final and teleological statement. The Greek preposition eis signifies purpose, destination, or goal. This asserts that Christ is not merely the agent of creation, but also the ultimate reason for creation. Everything exists for His glory, His pleasure, and to serve His divine plan. He is the beginning (source) and the end (purpose) of all existence.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "For by him all things were created": This initial declaration establishes Christ as the efficient cause of creation, initiating a hymn to His divine nature and function.
  • "in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible": These phrases categorically delineate the full spatial and dimensional scope of creation, leaving no realm uncreated by Christ. This negates dualistic worldviews that separate spiritual from material or unseen from seen.
  • "whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities": This specific enumeration addresses prevailing religious and philosophical ideas in Colossae, directly challenging the notion that spiritual hierarchies or cosmic powers have an independent existence or hold sway apart from Christ. It is a polemic against any form of angel veneration or belief in rival spiritual forces.
  • "all things were created through him and for him": This powerful double emphasis on the mediating agency ("through him") and the ultimate purpose ("for him") rounds off the creative scope. It stresses not only Christ's involvement in the act of creation but also that He is the telos, the reason and the destination for all that exists, securing His absolute supremacy over the entire created order.

Colossians 1 16 Bonus section

The emphasis on Christ being for (εἰς αὐτόν - eis auton) everything that was created, besides being by (ἐν αὐτῷ - en autō) and through (δι’ αὐτοῦ - di autou) Him, establishes a powerful teleological truth: creation exists ultimately to bring glory and pleasure to Christ. This extends beyond merely an efficient cause; Christ is the ultimate final cause. This divine intention embedded within creation speaks to its intrinsic value and ultimate redemption, as nothing created for Christ will ultimately be lost. This comprehensive declaration of Christ's cosmic lordship serves as the theological foundation for His authority as the head of the church and the reconciler of all things, bridging creation and redemption.

Colossians 1 16 Commentary

Colossians 1:16 is a profoundly Christocentric affirmation of the cosmic Lordship of Jesus. It reveals Him not merely as a part of creation, or even the most significant created being, but as the active Creator Himself, through whom all things originated and for whom they exist. This truth has monumental implications: it eradicates any room for dualism (separation of material/spiritual realms from God), Gnosticism (claiming special knowledge or intermediate deities), or syncretism (mixing Christ with other belief systems or worshipping other spirits). Paul uses categories understood by his audience ("thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities") to assert that even these unseen spiritual powers, feared or revered by some, are not independent but are mere creatures entirely subject to Christ. His preeminence is total, extending over every conceivable entity and dimension. This verse ensures that the Christian's devotion is exclusively to Christ, recognizing Him as the sovereign Creator who both establishes and holds all things in being for His ultimate glory. Practically, it encourages unwavering faith in Christ as the supreme authority, removing fear of lesser spiritual powers and orienting all of life's purpose towards Him who made all things. For example, if Christ created every authority, then every earthly or spiritual authority is ultimately accountable to Him. This provides peace in acknowledging Christ's ultimate control even amidst perceived chaos or oppression.