Colossians 1:16
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
For
G3754
ὅτι
For
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
1 of 36
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 36
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῖς
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῖς
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
10 of 36
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπὶ
that are in
G1909
ἐπὶ
that are in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 36
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
earth
G1093
γῆς
earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
15 of 36
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁρατὰ
visible
G3707
ὁρατὰ
visible
Strong's:
G3707
Word #:
17 of 36
gazed at, i.e., (by implication) capable of being seen
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θρόνοι
they be thrones
G2362
θρόνοι
they be thrones
Strong's:
G2362
Word #:
22 of 36
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
κυριότητες
dominions
G2963
κυριότητες
dominions
Strong's:
G2963
Word #:
24 of 36
mastery, i.e., (concretely and collectively) rulers
ἀρχαὶ
principalities
G746
ἀρχαὶ
principalities
Strong's:
G746
Word #:
26 of 36
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
ἐξουσίαι·
powers
G1849
ἐξουσίαι·
powers
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
28 of 36
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δι'
by
G1223
δι'
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
31 of 36
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
32 of 36
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
33 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
for
G1519
εἰς
for
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
34 of 36
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Romans 11:36For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.John 1:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.1 Corinthians 8:6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.Hebrews 2:10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.1 Chronicles 29:11Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.Hebrews 1:2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;Ephesians 1:10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:Isaiah 44:24Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;Proverbs 16:4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.Colossians 1:15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Historical Context
Jewish monotheism strictly opposed worshiping created beings, yet Hellenistic Judaism sometimes speculated about angelic intermediaries. Greco-Roman paganism populated the cosmos with various divine and semi-divine entities. The Colossian syncretism apparently blended these ideas, creating a complex spiritual hierarchy that diminished Christ's uniqueness. Paul's response is unambiguous: Christ created every spiritual being and therefore infinitely surpasses them all.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing Christ as Creator of all things—including angels—affect your view of spiritual warfare and authority?
- In what ways do modern Christians subtly diminish Christ by elevating other spiritual interests (angels, experiences, techniques)?
- How should the truth that all things were created 'for Him' reorient your life's purpose and priorities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. The preposition en (ἐν, "in") indicates Christ as the sphere or agent of creation; dia (διά, "through") in some translations emphasizes mediation. Either reading affirms Christ's creative role, fulfilling Old Testament Wisdom personified (Proverbs 8:22-31).
"All things" (ta panta, τὰ πάντα) appears emphatically—nothing exists outside Christ's creative work. The comprehensive list spans "heaven and earth, visible and invisible," including spiritual hierarchies: thrones, dominions, principalities, powers. The Colossian heretics apparently taught worship of angelic beings; Paul declares Christ created these beings, eliminating any basis for angel worship. Created beings cannot mediate between God and man when Christ, their Creator, performs this role.
"All things were created by him, and for him" (ta panta di' autou kai eis auton ektistai, τὰ πάντα δι' αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰς αὐτὸν ἔκτισται) reveals Christ as both agent and goal of creation. The universe exists for His glory, not ours; He is creation's purpose and destiny. This cosmic Christology demolishes any system that marginalizes Christ or treats Him as one being among many.