Chapter: Colossians 1:15 — The True Meaning and Misunderstanding
Quick Facts
Colossians 1:15 clearly distinguishes Jesus Christ from the One True God.
Paul describes Jesus as "the image of the invisible God," not as the invisible God Himself. Throughout Scripture, God the Father alone is repeatedly described as the invisible God whom no one has ever seen or can see. Christ perfectly reveals His Father because He is His Father's image, representation, and exact expression.
Full Article
May I share my research on Colossians 1:15?
If you have not already made up your mind concerning this passage, I sincerely ask that you consider the following biblical evidence with an open mind and an open heart.
As always, I encourage you to examine the Scriptures for yourself. If my understanding is mistaken in any way, I would genuinely welcome correction from the Bible.
There are many different interpretations of Colossians 1:15–17 among Christians. Therefore, let us begin by carefully examining the first statement Paul makes.
Colossians 1:15
English Standard Version
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation."
Paul begins by declaring:
"He is the image of the invisible God."
This opening statement is remarkably straightforward.
The Greek word translated "image" is εἰκών (eikōn). It carries the meaning of an image, likeness, representation, or visible manifestation of another. An image reflects and reveals the one it represents.
Paul therefore identifies Jesus as the perfect image and visible representation of His God and Father.
Notice carefully what Paul does not say.
He does not write:
"He is the invisible God."
Instead, he deliberately distinguishes between:
the invisible God, and
the One who is His image.
This distinction is extremely important.
The Invisible God
The Bible consistently teaches that God the Father is invisible.
Jesus Himself said:
"God is Spirit." (John 4:24)
Paul likewise writes:
"...who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen nor can see." (1 Timothy 6:16)
Notice Paul's words carefully:
"No one has ever seen nor can see."
Earlier in the same letter he writes:
"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17)
These passages agree perfectly with Colossians 1:15.
They identify the Father as:
immortal,
invisible,
the only God,
and the One whom no human being has ever seen or can see.
Jesus Himself also declared:
"How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?" (John 5:44)
The Father, therefore, is repeatedly identified throughout Scripture as the only God and the invisible God.
Jesus Was Visible
Unlike His Father, Jesus was plainly visible.
Thousands of people saw Him.
They heard Him teach.
They watched Him perform miracles.
They touched Him.
They crucified Him.
Jesus was a real human being.
This perfectly agrees with Paul's statement that Christ is the image of the invisible God.
The invisible Father was revealed through His visible Son.
This same truth is expressed elsewhere.
Hebrews declares:
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature." (Hebrews 1:3)
Likewise Paul writes:
"...the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Each passage teaches the same principle.
Jesus perfectly reveals His Father because He bears His Father's image.
Facts to Consider
Those who believe Jesus is the One True God should carefully consider what Paul actually says.
An image is not the same person as the one whose image it is.
Rather, an image represents another.
Scripture gives another example.
Genesis records:
"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.'" (Genesis 1:26)
Human beings were also created in God's image.
Yet no Christian would conclude that mankind is therefore God Himself.
Being made in God's image does not make us God.
Likewise, Christ being the image of God does not automatically identify Him as the same person as the invisible God whose image He bears.
Instead, Paul distinguishes between the two.
Conclusion
The opening words of Colossians 1:15 present a straightforward distinction.
Paul does not identify Jesus as the invisible God.
Instead, he identifies Jesus as the image of the invisible God.
Throughout Scripture, the Father alone is repeatedly described as:
the invisible God,
the only God,
the One whom no one has seen or can see.
Jesus, however, is consistently presented as the Father's Son, perfectly revealing His Father's character, glory, and nature.
This harmonises with numerous passages, including Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, Luke 3:22, John 10:36, and John 17:3, where both the Father and Jesus distinguish between the One True God and His Son.
As Hebrews 1:3 explains, Jesus is "the exact imprint" of His Father's nature, while 2 Corinthians 4:4 describes Him as "the image of God."
Taken together, these passages show that Christ perfectly reveals the invisible God without being described by Paul as the invisible God Himself.
The Firstborn of All Creation
Paul continues:
"the firstborn of all creation."
What did Paul mean by this expression?
The answer is found by allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture.
Paul himself immediately explains:
"He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might have the pre-eminence." (Colossians 1:18)
Likewise he writes:
"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (1 Corinthians 15:20)
Again:
"But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:23)
Romans also says:
"...that He might be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:29)
Paul's understanding is consistent with Acts:
"...that the Christ must suffer and that by being the first to rise from the dead He would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles." (Acts 26:23)
John likewise writes:
"...Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead..." (Revelation 1:5)
These passages consistently connect Christ's firstborn status with His resurrection and His pre-eminence among God's redeemed people.
Facts to Consider
Many believe that "the firstborn of all creation" means Jesus literally existed as the first person created before the universe.
However, it is worth considering several important biblical facts.
Nowhere does God the Father explicitly state that His Son was personally alive with Him before the creation of the world.
Instead, the Father repeatedly declares that He alone created all things.
For example:
"I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by Myself." (Isaiah 44:24)
Similar declarations appear throughout the Old Testament (see Psalm 72:18 and Psalm 86:10).
Likewise, nowhere does Jesus plainly state, "I lived with My Father before creation."
Instead, Scripture repeatedly teaches that Christ was foreknown before His earthly manifestation.
Peter writes:
"He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in these last times for your sake." (1 Peter 1:20)
Notice Peter's wording carefully.
He does not say Christ was already living in heaven before the foundation of the world.
He says Christ was foreknown.
The Greek word προγινώσκω (proginōskō) means "to know beforehand."
This agrees with the many Old Testament prophecies in which God revealed beforehand His coming Messiah.
Christ stood at the very centre of God's eternal purpose long before His birth because God's entire plan of salvation was established with His Son as its fulfilment.
This naturally prepares us for Paul's explanation in the following verses concerning all things being created "through Him" and "for Him," which we will examine in the next chapter.
Part 2 Updated: WHY Colossians 1:16 Is NOT About the Genesis Creation
Original article here: The TRUE Meaning and Misunderstanding Of Colossians 1:15.
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