Does Colossians 1:16 describe the Genesis creation, or is Paul referring to Christ's authority and the new creation established through His resurrection and exaltation? This study examines the Greek text and the wider biblical context.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Does Colossians 1:15–17 describe Jesus creating the Genesis universe, or is Paul speaking about Christ's pre-eminence, inheritance, and authority in God's new creation? This study carefully examines the original Greek and the surrounding biblical context.

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.

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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.

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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.

Please continue to Part 2:

The True Meaning and Misunderstanding of Colossians 1:16–17.

Part 2 Updated: WHY Colossians 1:16 Is NOT About the Genesis Creation

Does Colossians 1:16 really describe the Genesis creation? This study examines Paul's Greek wording, the immediate context, and related Old Testament passages to show why many scholars believe he was describing Christ's authority and God's new creation rather than Genesis.

Part 1 here:

Original article here: The TRUE Meaning and Misunderstanding Of Colossians 1:15.

WHY Colossians 1:16 is NOT about the Genesis Creation

You Tube video: 

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Colossians 1:16 — Is Paul Really Talking About the Genesis Creation?

 IMPORTANT UPDATE — NEW RESEARCH AVAILABLE

This subject has now been completely rewritten and expanded with additional research and evidence.

READ THE NEW UPDATED ARTICLE HERE: 

WHY Colossians 1:16 Is NOT About the Genesis Creation

OR CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW

Does Colossians 1:16 describe the Genesis creation, or is Paul referring to Christ's authority and the new creation established through His resurrection and exaltation? This study examines the Greek text and the wider biblical context.

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OLD ARTICLE

My update on Colossians 1:16!

Berean Study Bible  Colossians 1:16

For in Him (Jesus) all things were created, things 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.

Most of Christianity believe Paul is saying and teaching: (All Things), is referring to (All Things) that has been created, from the very beginning of GODS creation, hence, like the earth, planets, heavens, and ALL life, as told in Genesis 1:

World English Bible

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Hezekiah prayed before Yahweh, and said, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.

Notice how we read in 2 Kings 19:15, how GOD The Father is GOD ALONE, who created the Genesis creation BY HIMSELF, ALONE, ON HIS OWN, as we read in Isaiah 44:24

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

If we believe what most of Christianity believe, that Jesus created ALL THINGS, or that GOD created ALL THINGS through Jesus, then we are simply CONTRADICTING the word of GOD, who says over, and over again, how He (YAHWEH GOD) ALONE, BY HIMSELF created the Genesis creation.

On the other hand, we do know the word of GOD teaches us how ALL THINGS were created IN GOD's PLAN, WITH Jesus FIRST (IN) Order, Precedence, Purpose, and RANK, before the foundation of the world, as Jesus was ''FOREKNOWN'' as we read in John 1:15, John 1:30, John 8:58, 1 Peter 1:20, 

having been 👉 foreknown👈 indeed before the foundation of the world, but having been revealed in the last times for the sake of you,

But notice how we are told by 1 Peter 1:20 how Jesus was 👉 FOREKNOWN, 👈 but NOT, PREEXISTING!

Acts 2:23 also confirms this saying: Him delivered up by the determinate plan and foreknowledge of God, you put to death, having crucified Him by lawless hands,

However, may I demonstrate how Paul is not teaching anything about the material world, that Jesus created the Genesis creation, or that GOD created the material world through Jesus as most of Christianity believe, making this yet again another deception and confusion within modern Christianity today.

 Colossians 1:16

For in Him all things were created, things 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.

Firstly, did you notice how there is nothing said by Paul saying: the earth itself, or the planets, and the heaven itself, or created beings were created, as we were told what was created in Genesis 1.

I)  Paul does not mention the Genesis creation.

2) Paul does not mention THE HEAVENS Itself.

3) Paul is referring to what is (IN) the HEAVENS, NOT the HEAVEN itself, indicating the Heavens were ALREADY there.

4) Paul does not mention THE EARTH ITSELF, but instead, what is, (ON) the EARTH, indicating the EARTH was ALREADY there.

The next question is, what is (IN) the HEAVENS, and (ON) the EARTH?

The answer is IN the next statement by Paul saying: visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.  

Lets have a look at what we can learn from the meaning of: thrones or lordships or rulers or authorities.

In the Strong's Concordance

thronos: a throne

Original Word: θρόνος, ου, ὁ

Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine

Transliteration: thronos

Phonetic Spelling: (thron'-os)

Definition: a throne

Usage: a (king's) throne, seat; meton: power, dominion; a potentate.

Strong's Concordance

kuriotés: lordship

Original Word: κυριότης, τητος, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: kuriotés

Phonetic Spelling: (koo-ree-ot'-ace)

Definition: lordship

Usage: (a) abstr: lordship, (b) concr: divine or angelic lordship, domination, dignity, usually with reference to a celestial hierarchy.

Strong's Concordance

arché: beginning, origin

Original Word: ἀρχή, ῆς, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: arché

Phonetic Spelling: (ar-khay')

Definition: beginning, origin

Usage: (a) rule (kingly or magisterial), (b) plur: in a quasi-personal sense, almost: rulers, magistrates, (c) beginning.

HELPS Word-studies

746 arxḗ – properly, from the beginning (temporal sense), i.e. "the initial (starting) point"; (figuratively) what comes first and therefore is chief (foremost), i.e. has the priority because ahead of the rest ("preeminent").

Strong's Concordance

exousia: power to act, authority

Original Word: ἐξουσία, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: exousia

Phonetic Spelling: (ex-oo-see'-ah)

Definition: power to act, authority

Usage: (a) power, authority, weight, especially: moral authority, influence, (b) in a quasi-personal sense, derived from later Judaism, of a spiritual power, and hence of an earthly power.

HELPS Word-studies

1849 eksousía (from 1537 /ek, "out from," which intensifies 1510 /eimí, "to be, being as a right or privilege") – authority, conferred power; delegated empowerment ("authorization"), operating in a designated jurisdiction.

In the NT, 1849 /eksousía ("delegated power") refers to the authority God gives to His saints – authorizing them to act to the extent they are guided by faith (His revealed word).

As we plainly and clearly see and read, Paul is talking about the thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities IN the HEAVEN, and ON the EARTH, when Jesus went to heaven all authorities and powers were given to Jesus.

Paul is referring to what Jesus told us in Matthew 28:18

And having come to them, Jesus spoke to them, saying, 👉 "All authority in heaven and on the earth has been given to Me.👈

Conclusion:

As we have seen in Colossians 1:16, Paul is NOT talking about the Genesis Creation, but: 👉 All authority 👈in heaven and on the earth which was given to Jesus.

And this is confirmed in many more teachings in the Bible as below:

Ephesians 1:

 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will according to His pleasure, which He purposed in Him 10 for the administration of the fullness of the times, to bring together all things in Christ— 👉 the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth. 👈

Ephesians 1:

 20 which He worked in Christ, having raised Him out from the dead, and 👉 having set Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 above every principality and authority and power and dominion, 👈 and every name being named, not only in this age, but also in the one coming.

Ephesians 1:10

Berean Literal Bible

for the administration of the fullness of the times, to bring together all things in Christ-- 👉 the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth--👈

1 Corinthians 15:24

then the end, when He shall hand over the kingdom to the God and Father, 👉when He shall have annulled all dominion, and all authority and power. 👈

Ephesians 1:20

20 which He worked in Christ, having raised Him out from the dead, 👉 and having set Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 above every principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name being named, 👈 not only in this age, but also in the one coming. 22 And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of the One filling all in all.

This concludes the doctrine in which most believe that says Paul was teaching all things within the Genesis Creation was created by or through Jesus, is yet again another false doctrine and a deception, deceiving most into believing in a false PRE-HUMAN Christ, or some kind of pre-existing Spirit being or Angel.

Which therefore DENIES the true Man and Christ, and DENIES GOD the Father as GOD ALONE, and the creator ALONE, as said by GOD in many scriptures like Isaiah 44:24

World English Bible

Yahweh, your Redeemer, and he who formed you from the womb says: “I am Yahweh, who makes all things;👉 who alone 👈 stretches out the heavens; who spreads out the earth 👉 by myself; 👈

To say and believe what most of Christianity say and believe and teach, that Jesus is the creator of the Genesis Creation, or GOD created all the Genesis Creation THROUGH Jesus, is CONTRADICTING and DENYING what the Father of creation tells us throughout His word.

Notice in just some Scriptures below, how we never read there was a second or third person WITH GOD creating the Genesis Creation:

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Job 12:10

in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?

Job 33:4 

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Psalm 102:25

Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.

Acts 17:24,25

The God having made the world and all things that are in it, He being Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in hand-made temples, nor is He served by hands of men as needing anything, Himself giving to all life and breath and everything.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses Wrong Teaching of Colossians 1:16!

 IMPORTANT UPDATE — NEW RESEARCH AVAILABLE

This subject has now been completely rewritten and expanded with additional research and evidence.

READ THE NEW UPDATED ARTICLE HERE: Why I Believe the Teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses Are Mistaken.

OR CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW

Figure 1. Infographic examining the Jehovah's Witnesses' interpretation of John 1:1, including the translation "the Word was a god," and comparing it with the biblical context.

Also read: False Christs and False Teachings

The TRUE Meaning and Misunderstanding of Colossians 1:16 and 1:17.

 IMPORTANT UPDATE — NEW RESEARCH AVAILABLE

This subject has now been completely rewritten and expanded with additional research and evidence.

READ THE NEW UPDATED ARTICLE HERE: WHY Colossians 1:16 Is NOT About the Genesis Creation