Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. New Living Translation Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. English Standard Version And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Berean Standard Bible And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. Berean Literal Bible And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, firstborn out from the dead, so that He might be holding preeminence in all things, King James Bible And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. New King James Version And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. New American Standard Bible He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. NASB 1995 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. NASB 1977 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. Legacy Standard Bible And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Amplified Bible He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything. Christian Standard Bible He is also 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. Holman Christian Standard Bible He is also 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. American Standard Version And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Contemporary English Version He is the head of his body, which is the church. He is the very beginning, the first to be raised from death, so that he would be above all others. English Revised Version And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. GOD'S WORD® Translation He is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, the first to come back to life so that he would have first place in everything. Good News Translation He is the head of his body, the church; he is the source of the body's life. He is the first-born Son, who was raised from death, in order that he alone might have the first place in all things. International Standard Version He is also the head of the body, which is the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself might have first place in everything. Majority Standard Bible And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. NET Bible He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. New Heart English Bible He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Webster's Bible Translation And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he may have the pre-eminence. Weymouth New Testament Moreover He is the Head of His Body, the Church. He is the Beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead, in order that He Himself may in all things occupy the foremost place. World English Bible He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd He is the head of the body—the Assembly—who is a beginning, a firstborn out of the dead, that He might become first in all [things] Himself, Berean Literal Bible And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, firstborn out from the dead, so that He might be holding preeminence in all things, Young's Literal Translation And himself is the head of the body -- the assembly -- who is a beginning, a first-born out of the dead, that he might become in all things -- himself -- first, Smith's Literal Translation And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that he might be the first in all. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he may hold the primacy: Catholic Public Domain Version And he is the head of his body, the Church. He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, so that in all things he may hold primacy. New American Bible He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. New Revised Standard Version He 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. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he is the head of the body, the church: for he is the beginning, the firstfruits of the resurrection from the dead; that in all things he might be the first; Aramaic Bible in Plain English And he is The Head of the body which is the church, for he is The Head and The Firstborn from among the dead, that he would be Preeminent in everything, NT Translations Anderson New Testamentand he is the head of the body, the church: and he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in all things he might be preeminent; Godbey New Testament and himself is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first begotten from the dead, in order that in all things himself may be preeminent: Haweis New Testament And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first begotten from the dead, that he might be in all things pre-eminent. Mace New Testament he himself is the head of the church, which is his body, he is the prince, the first-born from the dead, that in all things he might be chief. Weymouth New Testament Moreover He is the Head of His Body, the Church. He is the Beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead, in order that He Himself may in all things occupy the foremost place. Worrell New Testament And He is the Head of the body, the assembly; Who is the Beginning, the First-born from the dead, that in all things He may be preeminent; Worsley New Testament And He is the head of the body, which is the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in all things He might have the pre-eminence. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Supremacy of Christ…17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. 19For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him,… Cross References Ephesians 1:22-23 And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, / which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. / For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. ... Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Revelation 3:14 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation. Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. Acts 26:23 that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.” Hebrews 12:23 in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. Psalm 89:27 I will indeed appoint him as My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. Daniel 7:13-14 In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Treasury of Scripture And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. he is. Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Colossians 2:10-14 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: … 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. the beginning. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. the firstborn. John 11:25,26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: … Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept… in all. Psalm 45:2-5 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever… Psalm 89:27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. Song of Solomon 5:10 My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. Jump to Previous Assembly Beginning Body Church Dead First Firstborn First-Born Foremost Head Moreover Occupy Order Point Preeminence Pre-Eminence Pre-Eminent StartingJump to Next Assembly Beginning Body Church Dead First Firstborn First-Born Foremost Head Moreover Occupy Order Point Preeminence Pre-Eminence Pre-Eminent StartingColossians 1 1. After salutation Paul thanks God for the Colossians' faith;7. confirms the doctrine of Epaphras; 9. prays further for their increase in grace; 14. describes the supremacy of Christ; 21. encourages them to receive Jesus Christ, and commends his own ministry. And He is the head of the body, the church; This phrase establishes Christ's authority and leadership over the church, which is often referred to as His body. The metaphor of the body emphasizes unity and diversity within the church, with Christ as the guiding force. In Ephesians 1:22-23, Paul similarly describes Christ as the head over all things for the church, reinforcing His supreme authority. The imagery of the body highlights the interconnectedness of believers, each with different roles and gifts, yet all under the direction of Christ. Historically, the early church faced challenges of division and false teachings, making this assertion of Christ's headship crucial for maintaining doctrinal purity and unity. He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristCentral figure in this verse, described as the head of the church and the firstborn from the dead. 2. The Church Referred to as the body of Christ, indicating a close, organic relationship with Jesus as its head. 3. The Resurrection Implied event, as Jesus is called the "firstborn from among the dead," highlighting His victory over death. Teaching Points Christ's Authority Over the ChurchJesus is the head, meaning He has ultimate authority and leadership over the church. Believers are called to submit to His guidance and teachings. The Significance of the Resurrection As the firstborn from the dead, Jesus' resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, assuring believers of their future resurrection and eternal life. Preeminence of Christ in All Things Christ's preeminence means He should be first in every aspect of our lives, including our decisions, priorities, and worship. Unity and Functionality of the Church As the body of Christ, the church is called to function in unity, with each member contributing to the health and mission of the whole. Living in Light of Christ's Supremacy Believers are encouraged to live lives that reflect Christ's supremacy, demonstrating His love, grace, and truth in their daily interactions.(18-20) In these verses St. Paul returns from dwelling on the eternal nature of the Son of God to describe Him in His mediatorial office as Son of Man, becoming the "Head" of all humanity, as called into "His Body, the Church." In this he touches on a doctrine more fully developed in the Epistle to the Ephesians. (See Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 2:19; Ephesians 2:21; Ephesians 4:15-16.) But still, as has been already noted, there is in this Epistle more stress on the supreme dignity of the Head, as in the other more on the unity, and blessing, and glory of the Body. It should be observed that in this, His mediatorial office, there is throughout a mysterious analogy to His eternal sonship. In both He is "the Head," first, of universal creation, next, of the new creation in His Church; He is "the beginning," in the one case in eternity, in the other in time; He is "the firstborn," now in Eternal Sonship, now in the Resurrection making Him the new life of mankind. . . . Verse 18. - The words, And he is the Head of the body, the Church (Colossians 2:10, 19; Ephesians 1:22, 23; Ephesians 3:8-10; Ephesians 4:15, 16; Hebrews 1:3; John 15:1-6), identify the mediatorial Lord of creation (vers. 15-17) with the redeeming Head of the Church, and claim the prerogatives belonging to him in the former capacity as the basis of his position and offices in the latter (comp. Ephesians 1:22). The Pauline doctrine of the Church as the body of Christ is developed in Colossians and Ephesians, especially in the later Epistle, where it receives its fruitful application. Here the doctrine of the Person of Christ and the doctrine of the Church find their meeting-point as mutually implying each other, and together opposed to the double effect of early Gnosticism, which tended first to lower the dignity of Christ, and then to impair the unity of his Church (see Colossians 2:19, note). In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and Romans 12:4, 5 the figure of the body and members is merely a passing illustration of the mutual relation of believers in the Church; now the body of Christ becomes the formal title of the Church, expressing the fundamental and fixed conception of its nature as related to him, who is the centre of its unity, the source of all vital energy and directing control within it (comp. the vine and branches, John 15.). In vers. 16, 17 the writer passed from the thought of the origin to that of the constitution of the cosmos; now he proceeds in the reverse order. (He is the head) who is (the) Beginning (Revelation 3:14; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:13; Acts 3:15; Acts 5:31; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 12:2). Αρχή is without article, used as a proper noun. It is arbitrary to identify it with ἀπαρχὴ ("firstfruits") of 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23; Romans 11:16. As explained by the following words, it denotes, as in philosophical Greek, a first principle, originating cause, fens et origo (see Lightfoot's note and references). To borrow "of the dead" from the following parallel clause weakens the force of both. His body, the Church, begins in him, dating and deriving from him its "all in all" (Colossians 3:11, 4; 1 John 5:12; Revelation 21:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17). This is quite consistent with the "all things are of God" of 2 Corinthians 5:18; for the apostle is thinking here of the relative, historical beginning of "the kingdom of the Son" (ver. 13), there of the absolute beginning of the Divine work of redemption (comp. 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 3:23; and note on "unto him," ver. 16). St. John, writing to the neighbouring Laodicea, echoes, apparently, this language of our apostle (Revelation 3:14) As Firstborn out of the dead (Colossians 2:12, 13; Colossians 3:1; Ephesians 1:19, 20; Romans 1:4; Romans 6:1-14; 1 Corinthians 15:13-18; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Acts 13:30-39; 1 Peter 1:3, 21; Revelation 1:5, 18; Revelation 2:8; John 11:25), this Beginning actually begins; Christ becomes the source, of a new humanity, a new creation (2 Corinthians 4:14 and Romans 8:21). The apostle derives the whole life and power of Christianity, whether as seen in Christ or proved by his people, from his resurrection (see parallels). The name Firstborn brings over with it into this verse the glory which surrounds it in ver. 15. The Divine Firstborn, who is before and over all things, wins his title a second time for his earthly brethren's sake (Hebrews 2:10-15). As he appears "out of the dead," born anew from the dark womb of the grave, the nether abyss (Romans 10:7; Ephesians 4:9; Philippians 2:8), the Father declares to him, "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee" (Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5); the Church exclaims," My Lord and my God" (John 20:28); "all authority in heaven and on earth" becomes his (Matthew 28:18; John 17:2); he is made "Firstborn over many brethren," who call him Lord (Romans 8:29; Romans 14:9; Revelation 5:12); and proceeds to "subdue all things unto himself" (Philippians 2:9, 10; Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 10:13; Revelation 19:11-16). "Firstborn out of the dead" in the source of his new birthright of lordship in the Church, he is" Firstborn of the dead" (Revelation 1:5, R.V.: comp. ver. 15) in his abiding relation to dying humanity. And he won this title so as to carry out an antecedent purpose in his mind (comp. Romans 14:9; "In the mind of the father," say Meyer and others - a thought true in itself, but interpolated here), viz. that he might become in all things pre-eminent (ver. 13; Colossians 2:6; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Luke 19:12-27; Luke 22:29, 30; John 18:36; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 19:16; Psalm 2:7, 8). The purpose of creation as "unto Christ" (ver. 17) had been frustrated, so far as related to man, by the entrance of sin and death, and his rightful pre-eminence denied him (John 1:10). He must, therefore, recover it, must become pre-eminent; and this he does by his death and resurrection (John 12:31, 32; Hebrews 2:14, 15; Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 2:6-11; Isaiah 53:12). "To this end Jesus died and lived again" (Romans 14:9: comp. 2 Corinthians 5:15; Revelation 1:18). Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Andκαὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. He αὐτός (autos) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. head κεφαλὴ (kephalē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 2776: From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively. of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. body, σώματος (sōmatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. church; ἐκκλησίας (ekklēsias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 1577: From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation. He ὅς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. beginning ἀρχή (archē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 746: From archomai; a commencement, or chief. [and] firstborn πρωτότοκος (prōtotokos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4416: First-born, eldest. From protos and the alternate of tikto; first-born. from among ἐκ (ek) Preposition Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. dead, νεκρῶν (nekrōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead. so that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. all things πᾶσιν (pasin) Adjective - Dative Neuter Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. He αὐτὸς (autos) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. may γένηται (genētai) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. have preeminence. πρωτεύων (prōteuōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4409: To have preeminence, be chief, be first. From protos; to be first. 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