Colossians 1:15-28 (NRSV)
Read Colossians 1:15-28 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; Verse 16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-all things have been created through him and for him. Verse 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Verse 18He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. Verse 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, Verse 20and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. Verse 21And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, Verse 22he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him- Verse 23provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. Verse 24I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. Verse 25I became its servant according to God's commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, Verse 26the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. Verse 27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Verse 28It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Devotion
A lot of people might think that this passage is filled with mystery, for it includes a number of thoughts and assertions that are perhaps not immediately clear to us. The truth is that as we read the scriptures we continue to learn much about Jesus’ life and ministry culminating in his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead. The reading from Colossians stretches our imaginations to ponder Christ’s part from the creation of the cosmos to the continuing part in the fullness of God’s promises for the universe. I continue to be a student of the Word of God. The Word of God still has much to teach all of us. May it always be that way as the Spirit of God continues to teach and inspire us all.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, stretch our hearts and minds to help us grasp more of your power and might and greatness as we study your Word. May your Spirit have his way in teaching us continually. In your Name. Amen.