Colossians 1:18

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, firstborn out from the dead, so that He might be having preeminence in all things,

Latin

Et ipse est caput corporis Ecclesiæ, qui est principium, primogenitus ex mortuis: ut sit in omnibus ipse primatum tenens:

Original

Greek

English

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.

Notes

Colossians 1:18

Head of the body, the church: The Greek word kephalē (meaning “head”) often has the sense of authority over or chief when Paul uses it as a metaphor (see also 2:10, 19; 1 Corinthians 11:3–10; Ephesians 4:15; 5:23).
of the body: The metaphor of the church as Christ’s body shows the essential unity of Christ and the church (see also Colossians 1:24; 2:19; 3:15; Ephesians 1:23; 2:16; 4:4, 12; 5:23, 30).
firstborn from among the dead: See study note on Colossians 1:15.

Colossians 1:15–20

Paul describes Jesus as the ultimate creator and redeemer (1:15–17; 1:18–20). Three main things suggest these verses quote an early Christian hymn about Jesus:

These verses are brief statements.
These verses have contain high praise and special honor for Christ (he is exalted).
These verses use similar language and ideas.

Paul applied this hymn to the situation of the church in Colossae.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Death God’s Unified Plan of Salvation Human Confusion and God’s Purpose Living for Christ The Christ Hymn: Christ’s Divine Nature The Church The Creation The Message of Reconciliation The Sovereignty of God The Unknown God

Related verses

Ephesians 1:22–23
And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,
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,
Ephesians 4:15–16
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.
1 Corinthians 15:20–23
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
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.”
Psalm 89:27
I will indeed appoint him as My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
1 Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
John 11:25–26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.
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 22:13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Revelation 21:6
And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life.

Colossians 1:18

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