Col1:15-19 – TPT – 15. He is the divine portrait, the true likeness of the invisible God, and the first-born heir of all creation. 16.For through the Son everything was created, both in the heavenly realm and on the earth, all that is seen and all that is unseen. Every seat of power, realm of government, principality, and authority—it was all created through him and for his purpose! 17. He existed before anything was made, and now everything finds completion in him. 18. He is the Head of his body, which is the church. And since he is the beginning and the firstborn heir in resurrection, he is the most exalted One, holding first place in everything. 19. For God is satisfied to have all his fullness dwelling in Christ.
This passage is commonly thought to be a hymn in the first century church. If that is true then this becomes a glimpse into the doctrinal beliefs and practices of the early church. Obviously there was teaching and preaching but their songs were intended to be tools to teach theology to the church and assist these early Christians in remembering the tenets of their faith. Let’s take a moment and look at the richness of this passage.
First Paul describes Jesus as the portrait or the very likeness of the invisible God. He is the radiance of the Father’s glory. Then Paul describes Him as the heir of God, making us fellow heirs with Christ. Then he boldly declares that Christ is Creator of all things, the maker of all of creation, visible and invisible. He also says that He is eternal existing before Creation itself. We are made complete in Him and also describing Christ as the head of the body of Christ of which we are all members. He is declared to be the firstborn heir in the resurrection proclaiming that we also will experience resurrection on that great and glorious day. He is exalted above all things holding first place being seated at the Father’s right hand. Then the greatest statement of all, the fulness of God literally dwells in this man Jesus Christ.
If all this is true for the early church then it has to be true for us as well. We are seated together with Christ in heavenly places singing God’s heavenly song. We are completely satisfied with Christ as our only portion in this life.