Commentaries:
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Colossians 1:14-17
Paul is is exalting Jesus Christ, which is important to his argument, as we see in chapter 2. First, we have the gospel, where truth concerning this situation resides. He exalts Christ by using the word translated "firstborn" two different times. In one section, he emphasizes chronological preeminence: Christ was before all. The second time, he gives status preeminence: Christ was not only before all, but He also has authority over all.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty)Related Topics: Chronological Preeminence of Christ | First of the Firstfruits | Firstborn | Firstborn from the Dead | Firstborn of Humanity | Firstborn of Many Brethren | Jesus Christ's Authority | Status Preeminence of Christ
Colossians 1:13-17
Jesus Christ is not only our Savior but also our Creator. He is the subject of the powerful description in Isaiah 40:9-18, and it is into His Kingdom we have been translated, meaning conveyed or transferred. Paul must mean that this translation is spiritual because God's Kingdom has not yet literally been established on earth. God "calls those things which do not exist as though they did" (Romans 4:17). We are to conduct our lives and represent God before the world as though we were literally a part of it even now.
Philippians 3:20 reinforces this: "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." The Kingdom of God is still in heaven and will be established on earth at Christ's return. However, we are already considered its citizens. Thus, our loyalties and submission go to it before everything else.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Sixth Commandment (Part 2): War! (1997)Related Topics: Citizenship in Heaven | God's Kingdom | Jesus Christ as the Creator of the Sabbath | Kingdom of God | Kingdom of God, Established on Earth | Kingdom of HeavenOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing Colossians 1:14:
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What Does Colossians 1:14 Mean?
Paul exalts Jesus Christ, presenting the gospel where truth resides. Redemption tied to Passover is a process, spoken of in both past and future tenses. Believers have already been redeemed from the death penalty, yet still need to be redeemed from the corrupted nature that incurs that penalty. God must redeem us from this flesh, this body of death, so we can fully manifest the image of our Creator. Final redemption occurs at the resurrection, when the incorruptible nature is fully taken on, at which point Passover will be fulfilled. While the sin offering has already been fulfilled, the Passover, with its theme of redemption, awaits completion in the Kingdom of God.