The Firstborn of All Creation

The letter opens with its writers: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother. It goes to the faithful believers in the city of Colossae. Paul gives thanks because of their faith in Christ Jesus, their love for all the saints, and the hope laid up for them in the heavens. This Good News is bearing fruit and growing in all the world. They learned it from Epaphras, who also reported their love in the Spirit.

Paul's prayer is rich. He asks that they may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom, walk worthily of the Lord, bear fruit in every good work, and be strengthened with all power for endurance with joy. He gives thanks to the Father, who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and brought believers into the Kingdom of his beloved Son.

Then comes a great hymn about Christ. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible. He is before all things, and in him all things are held together. He is the head of the body, the assembly. Through him God reconciled all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross. Paul rejoices even in his sufferings, for he serves to make known the mystery: Christ in you, the hope of glory.