Ian & Jocelyn Barker

In verses 16 and 17, Jesus is described as the agent of creation and the sustainer of creation. His role in creation is signified by the use of the phrases “by Him”, “through Him”, and “for Him”. The assertion that He created the heavens and the earth backs up the validity of His titles in verse 15.

Creation was something that was attributed to God alone (cf. Matt. 19:4; Mark 13:19; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 2:10; Rev. 4:11; 10:6.). By attributing creation to Christ, Paul identifies the deity of Christ. His creation of all the heavens and the earth validates the claim that He is the “firstborn over all creation”. If He made all things, certainly He has the right to rule over all things.

In partnership with His Father, the Son brought all things into existence by His power and ability. All things have been created with the goal of bringing glory to the Son. “Everything exists to display his glory, and ultimately he will be glorified in his creation” (Melick). His creation includes things that are “visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.”

Paul’s inclusion of the scope of His creation serves two purposes. First, it refutes those false teachers in Colossae who claimed that other spiritual beings were other ways to salvation. Bruce writes, “Whether invisible or visible, all had Christ has their original creator, and all have him as their final disposer” (Bruce).

Second, it reveals that He has been and will be victorious over the powers of darkness that were openly hostile towards Him (cf. 1 Cor. 2:8).