WHY Colossians 1:16 Is NOT About the Genesis Creation
A Biblical Examination of Paul's Words
By Simon Brown
Introduction
Colossians 1:16 is one of the most debated verses in the New Testament.
Many Christians believe Paul is teaching that Jesus personally created the Genesis creation—that He created the heavens, the earth, the planets, the stars, and every living thing.
But is this really what Paul meant?
Or is Paul speaking about something entirely different?
I believe the evidence points in another direction.
When Colossians 1:16 is read alongside the surrounding context and compared with the rest of Scripture, Paul is not describing the original creation of Genesis, but God's new creation and Christ's authority over all things following His resurrection.
Let us examine the evidence.
Colossians 1:16
Berean Literal Bible
"Because in Him were created all things in the heavens and upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things have been created through Him and for Him."
Most Christians understand the phrase "all things" to refer to everything created in Genesis:
the heavens
the earth
the stars
the planets
mankind
animals
every created thing
However, does Paul actually say this?
God Alone Created the Genesis Creation
Before examining Colossians 1:16, we should first establish what the rest of Scripture repeatedly teaches.
The Bible consistently declares that Yahweh alone created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis opens with these words:
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
—Genesis 1:1
King Hezekiah prayed:
"Yahweh, the God of Israel... You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth."
—2 Kings 19:15
Isaiah records Yahweh's own words:
"I am Yahweh, who makes all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by Myself."
—Isaiah 44:24
Notice the repeated emphasis.
I
alone
by Myself
The language is singular throughout.
Yahweh repeatedly declares that He alone created the Genesis creation.
Does Colossians Contradict Isaiah?
If Colossians 1:16 teaches that Jesus created the Genesis universe, or that God created the Genesis universe through Jesus, then we must ask an important question.
Would this not appear to conflict with the many passages where Yahweh repeatedly says He alone created the heavens and the earth?
Rather than assuming Paul is contradicting Isaiah, it is worth asking whether Paul is speaking about something different.
God's Eternal Plan Through Christ
Scripture teaches that Christ was central to God's eternal purpose before the foundation of the world.
Peter writes:
"He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake."
—1 Peter 1:20
Notice carefully what Peter says.
He says Christ was foreknown.
He does not say Christ was already living alongside God before creation.
The Greek word προγινώσκω (proginōskō) simply means to know beforehand or to foreknow.
Acts 2:23 teaches the same truth.
Jesus was delivered according to:
"the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God."
God's plan centred on His Son long before Jesus was born.
What Does Paul Actually Describe?
Now let us carefully examine Colossians 1:16.
Notice something interesting.
Paul never mentions:
planets
stars
oceans
mountains
animals
mankind
light
trees
fish
birds
In fact, Paul never lists anything described in Genesis chapter one.
Instead, Paul writes:
"Whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities."
This immediately shifts our attention away from material creation and toward positions of government, rule and authority.
Notice Paul's Language
Paul does not say:
"The heavens were created."
Instead he says:
"Things in the heavens."
Neither does Paul say:
"The earth was created."
Instead he says:
"Things upon the earth."
The heavens and the earth already exist in Paul's description.
His concern is not their original creation.
His concern is what exists within them.
Thrones, Dominions, Rulers and Authorities
Paul explains exactly what he means.
He speaks about:
thrones
dominions
rulers
authorities
These are positions of authority.
The Greek words themselves describe kingdoms, governments, rule, delegated authority and positions of power.
Paul is describing the ordering of authority under Christ.
Matthew 28 Explains Colossians 1
Following His resurrection Jesus declared:
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me."
—Matthew 28:18
Notice carefully.
Jesus does not say He always possessed this authority.
He says:
"has been given to Me."
This perfectly matches Paul's teaching.
God exalted Christ and placed all authority beneath Him.
Paul Explains Himself Again
Paul says exactly the same thing in Ephesians.
"To bring together all things in Christ—the things in heaven and the things on earth."
—Ephesians 1:10
Later Paul writes:
"God raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand... far above every rule and authority and power and dominion."
—Ephesians 1:20–22
Notice the repeated language.
Rule.
Authority.
Power.
Dominion.
These are the very same expressions Paul uses in Colossians.
The context is Christ's exaltation—not Genesis creation.
The New Creation
Throughout Paul's letters there is a consistent emphasis on God's new creation in Christ.
Jesus is:
Head of the Church.
Firstborn from the dead.
Exalted above every authority.
Lord of God's coming Kingdom.
Paul's focus is God's new order established through the risen Christ.
This harmonises perfectly with Colossians 1:13, where Paul has already been speaking about:
"The kingdom of His beloved Son."
The immediate context is God's Kingdom—not Genesis.
The Biblical Harmony
When Colossians 1:16 is understood in this way, Scripture remains perfectly harmonious.
Genesis teaches:
Yahweh alone created the heavens and the earth.
Isaiah teaches:
Yahweh stretched out the heavens alone.
Jesus teaches:
All authority was given to Him after His resurrection.
Paul teaches:
God exalted Christ above every throne, ruler, dominion and authority.
These passages complement one another rather than contradict each other.
Conclusion
In my understanding, Colossians 1:16 is not describing the original creation recorded in Genesis.
Rather, Paul is describing God's work through His risen Son—the One whom God has exalted above every throne, dominion, ruler and authority in heaven and on earth.
The emphasis is not on the creation of the physical universe, but on Christ's supreme position within God's redemptive plan and Kingdom.
Throughout Scripture, Yahweh consistently declares that He alone created the heavens and the earth (Isaiah 44:24; 2 Kings 19:15; Genesis 1:1).
Paul does not overturn that teaching.
Instead, he reveals how all authority, rule, and dominion now find their place in Christ, through Christ, and for Christ, according to God's eternal purpose.
In the next chapter, we will examine the Greek expressions "in Him," "through Him," and "for Him," and consider whether Paul is describing Christ as the Creator of Genesis or as the appointed Lord and mediator through whom God is accomplishing His new creation.
Colossians 1:16 says, "because in Him were created all things in the heavens and upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or lordships or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and unto Him."
Let's break it down 😊.
1. *No mention of physical creation*: Paul doesn't mention planets, earth, atoms, galaxies, or living things like Genesis 1 describes.
2. *Unseen authorities*: Paul focuses on invisible "thrones, lordships, rulers, authorities".
3. *"In Him" ≠ Creator*: A better translation is "through Him", emphasizing Jesus' role, not as Creator, but as mediator (Hebrews 4:14).
4. *God creates, Jesus mediates*: Genesis 1:1-3, Romans 1:20, and Hebrews 11:3 attribute creation to God alone.
5. *Paul's context*: Jesus' authority (Matthew 28:18, Daniel 7:13-14) and role as mediator (Hebrews 4:14, Philippians 2:9-11).
6. *New creation*: Paul refers to God's new creation through Christ (Hebrews 1:2), not the original physical creation.
Conclusion: Jesus wasn't the Creator, but was given authority and dominion by God after resurrection (Colossians 1:15, Ephesians 1:20-22). God works through Jesus, our mediator and High Priest.
7. Im making a crucial point about Colossians 1:16 😊. The phrase "in Him" or "through Him" (Greek: ἐν, en) implies Jesus is the agent or mediator, not the Creator.
If Jesus were the Creator, Paul would've said "created by Jesus". The fact that he says (In or "through) Jesus" suggests a distinct role.
This aligns with other passages showing Father God as Creator alone (Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 44:24) and Jesus as mediator (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 4:14-16).
My point is God not needing a mediator if Jesus were God Himself highlights the biblical distinction between God the Father and Jesus the Son.
---Colossians 1:16. Jesus wouldn't need authority if he was God 😊. If he co-created or pre-existed with God, he'd already have it. The fact that he's given authority (Matthew 28:18) suggests a distinct role, not equality with God.
Here's a rewritten recap:
I am Simon Brown.
Related articles:
Original article here: The TRUE Meaning and Misunderstanding Of Colossians 1:15.
WHY Colossians 1:16 is NOT about the Genesis Creation
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