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Colossians, part 4, The Truth in the Christ Hymn

The Christ Hymn begins in Colossians 1:15, saying,

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of creation.

The Image of God

An “image” is a copy, a reflection, a representation, like a twin. Adam was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Jesus Christ, who is “the last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45), is also described in Hebrews 1:3 as “the exact representation of His nature.” Having been begotten by the Spirit of God (Matthew 1:18), Jesus and His Father look alike. So also, Genesis 5:3 says,

³ When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.

Sonship is not merely a matter of genetics. It is also about family resemblance. The more one is restored to the original image of God, the more he resembles his Father-God. Yet God, being an “invisible” Spirit, can hardly be expected to resemble fleshly beings. The real resemblance that God seeks is in one’s nature that results in actions. So we see that a son of Abraham is one who does the works of Abraham (John 8:39). Biological children of Abraham are not necessarily Abraham’s sons. They may even be children of the devil (John 8:44).

From a New Testament point of view, Paul says in Galatians 3:7,

⁷ Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

Paul equates the sons of Abraham with the sons of God later in Galatians 3:26, 29,

²⁶ For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus… ²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

Those who think that biological descent from Abraham makes one “chosen” have bought into the Jewish view, which is based on fleshly standards. We, however, hold a New Covenant view advocated by Jesus, John, Paul, and others. Faith in Jesus Christ begins the process of conforming us to the image of Christ, who, in turn, is the image of God. Romans 8:29 says,

²⁹ For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

We were all born in the image of Adam, the “earthy” man, but when we are begotten by the Spirit by the incorruptible seed of the Word (through our ears), that new creation man is in the image of Christ, the heavenly man (James 1:18). 1 Corinthians 15:49 tells us,

⁴⁹ Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.

Hence, Christ prepared the way for all who are in Christ to return to the image of God and thereby fulfill our purpose and destiny on earth.

The Firstborn of Creation

Colossians 1:15 calls Christ “the firstborn of creation,” while verse 18 (Stanza 2) calls Him “the firstborn from the dead.” (See also Revelation 1:5.) To be raised from the dead to immortality is to be “born” as a new creation. Resurrection is the ultimate birthing experience, and nature teaches us that conception and birth do not occur at the same time. Recall that the Greek word gennao, when applied to a man means “to beget,” but when applied to a woman means “to give birth.”

The term “Firstborn” suggests others who are born afterward. So also we ourselves, having been begotten by the seed of the word (gospel), will come to birth at the resurrection. Christ’s resurrection made Him “the Firstborn of Creation,” so all others, when raised from the dead, are his “brethren” (Hebrews 2:11, 12). The Church, as it presently exists, is “the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven.” (Hebrews 12:23). They are “begotten” and “enrolled,” but not yet “born again.”

Christ the Creator

Colossians 1:16 says,

¹⁶ for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

What is the difference between “by Him” and “through Him”?

“By Him” is ἐν αὐτῷ (en autō), which literally means “in Him.” It speaks of origins, where Christ is the Source of creation. It emphasizes where creation originates and exists—within His authority, will, and life.

“Through Him” is δι’ αὐτοῦ (di’ autou), where Christ is the active agent or means through whom creation was executed. It is “by means of,” or “by the agency of” Christ that all things were created. So again we read in John 1:1-3,

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

Christ “was the Word” and was present at the beginning “with God.” In other words, He was the embodiment of the Word that His Father spoke. The Word of the Father was spoken through Christ. God was the Creator, but Christ was the divine Agent who acted in the name of and under the authority of His Father to do the Father’s will in all things.

When Jesus came to earth, incarnated as a man, He again acted as the Agent of His Father, doing the Father’s will. John 6:38 says,

³⁸ For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

The Father is the originator of this teaching; the Son is the faithful Messenger. Again we read in John 8:28,

²⁸ I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.

The sender is always greater than the messenger who is sent. In John 14:28 Jesus said, “the Father is greater than I.” The Father is not more righteous but has greater authority. The Father is not the Agent of another God with greater authority and power. The Father-Son relationship suggests that the son honors His Father by representing Him perfectly in every way—in this case, speaking precisely what His Father has spoken.

The Holy Spirit “Helper”

Christ, then, came as the Advocate/Agent (parakletos, “Helper,” NASB; “Comforter,” KJV) representing the Father. But after Jesus concluded His ministry on earth, He too was given an Advocate/Agent to represent Him. John 14:16 says,

¹⁶ I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.”

In that this was “another,” it indicates that Christ Himself was the Father’s “Helper,” and that the Holy Spirit was sent to be Christ’s Agent to teach the disciples all things. John 14:26 says,

²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things…”

In John 15:26 Jesus again says,

²⁶ When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth… He will testify about Me. ²⁷ and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

Hence, both the Holy Spirit and we ourselves are Christ’s agents, called to represent Him to the world and to show forth His nature, His will, and His word of truth. This authority is not given lightly, nor will He fully trust anyone apart from first believing and absorbing the truth of the gospel. Christ’s agents must grow in spirit and in truth in order to be faithful witnesses that testify of Him and carry the light of the gospel into a dark world.