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Colossians 1:18b-20
The assembly in Colosse has diminished the Son, in their minds, through the dark thinking that they have
been taking in. So through his letter, Paul is displaying the Son of God in His glory, for the Colossians to
see.
Paul has shown them the position of the Son, as preeminent over all creation, and as the sustainer of it.
And Paul has also made it clear that the Son is preeminent over and sustains the church He is the Head of
the Body of Christ He has the position of honor over it, and is also the source of its life Eternal Life.
As the Colossians consider the Sons part in creation, as well as with the church, they cannot help but see
the contrast to the false teaching that they had been contemplating, which made the Son less than God, and
relied upon angels as mediators by whom to reach God mere created beings, such as themselves; created,
in fact, through the Son, Himself and so, subject to Him.
As Paul continues with His statement, he now shows the fullness of Gods plan realized through the Son, as
the one and only one through whom all things are reconciled to God.
Well begin reading at the beginning of verse 18. I will be using the alternate translation of verse 18
discussed last week, which you can find on your handout.
[Read Colossians 1:18-20]
So in this last part of the statement, Paul shows the Son to be the head of the new creation the sons of
God. As this is the goal of Gods plan for mankind, this makes the Son preeminent over all things from
creation to completion. Then Paul shows that this preeminence was established through God reconciling
all things to Himself through the blood of His Son, shed on the cross. It was in this way that He made
peace.
So having shown the Sons present work, in upholding both the created universe, as well as the church,
Paul now considers the Sons future role as the head of the glorified sons of God. First Paul writes of the
Son, He is the beginning meaning the originator of that new creation, in Him.
There is a passage in Hebrews which also shows the Son to be the beginning of this new creation. Turn to
Hebrews chapter 2. The writer has been showing that it was through the suffering of death that Jesus came
to be crowned with glory and honor.
[Hebrews 2:10-11]
v. 10 [Read verse first]
For it was fitting for Him thats speaking of God, the Father;
in bringing many sons to glory thats the Fathers purpose, for mankind;
to make the captain of their salvation who is that? Jesus;
perfect through sufferings perfect speaks of the goal being accomplished, through the sufferings of
Jesus. Through the sufferings of death, the Eternal Life that was in Jesus came forth as a glorified, everliving body.

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The word captain is a unique word in the Greek. You can see its related to our word beginning from
Colossians, which is arche. This word in Hebrews for captain is archegos, which means founder as the first
cause; or, originator. The idea is that He pioneered the way, by which now others can follow. Where does
the way lead? To glory; so that there will be many sons, in bodies of glory.
v. 11 It is Jesus who has completely sanctified believers, setting them apart to God, which is being realized
in time, through their earthly course. The author indicates that Jesus and those who believe in Him are all
of one; that is to say, they are all of one seed; believers have been born of the Incorruptible Seed, Christ.
For this reason, Jesus is not ashamed to call them brethren because they are all sons of God.
[Return to Colossians 1]
What Paul says next emphasizes the actual course, which leads to the glory of the new creation. Paul
writes of the Son as the firstborn from the dead. By specifically using this term, we understand that Paul
is speaking of the Son being raised to new life from among those in dead bodies; that is, as Him being
resurrected.
We have seen this word, firstborn, back in verse 15. The principle idea is preeminence; the honored
position. As the first to have been resurrected from the dead in a glorified body, as the One who forged that
course, for all mankind, the Son has the position of honor over all others who will arise from the dead, in
bodies of glory.
Paul begins his letter to the Romans writing of this. He says that Jesus Christ was distinguished set above
all others as the Son-of-God-in-power, by His resurrection from the dead (Rm 1:4). Through His death,
the Son unleashed the Life contained within His mortal body Eternal Life and availed it to all mankind;
so He is the Son of God, in power the power of an endless life (Heb 7:16).
As mentioned last week, the Son is the only one so far who has been raised from the dead, in a glorified
body. When will there be others? Well, the true church will be the first ones from the creation of mankind
to become glorified sons of God.
James wrote of the church, indicating that we were begotten by the word of truth, as a kind of firstfruits of
Gods creation (James 1:18). Firstfruits is the first grain to come up from the ground, in a harvest. James
was pointing out that we have already been born again, a new creation, and can live as such in our earthly
bodies. All that remains is for the Lord to raise us up, in glory.
The Lord will return for the church when she is complete, just shortly before the Tribulation. The dead in
Christ will rise first, in bodies of glory. After that, those believers who are alive when Christ returns will be
changed, into their glorified bodies. And then all of us will be caught up together, to meet the Lord, in the
air; the Lord, presenting us to Himself, a church of glory (Eph 5:27).
At that time, the Lord will take us to our heavenly home the home that we will occupy with Him, that He
has been preparing for us (Jn 14:2). Where is that? The New Jerusalem. The author to the Hebrews writes
that the heavenly Jerusalem is the city of the living God; and assembled there, along with the angels, in
perpetual festal celebration, will be the church of the firstborn (Heb 12:22-23). We are that church; the
church of the Son, who is the Firstborn from the dead.
As glorified sons of God, we will reign with Christ. Paul wrote to Timothy, If we died with Him, we shall
also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him (2 Tim 2:11-12). Endurance is the mark of
a true son.

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The Revelation of Jesus Christ identifies a true son he who overcomes. It contains promises to the
church, as overcomers. The church will be given power over the nations, which is then explained as ruling
with the Son, during the Kingdom Age (Rev 2:26-27). And the church, as overcomers, will sit with the
Lord on His throne just as Jesus overcame, and sat down with His Father, on His throne (Rev 3:21).
Where is this throne? The Revelation tells us that it is in the New Jerusalem, which will have descended
out of heaven from God (Rev 22:1, 21:9-10), into the atmospheric heavens, about 1400 miles above the
earth like the glory cloud, over Jerusalem below. It is from there, from our heavenly home, that we will
participate in Christs reign over the earth (Rev 5:10) as the helpmeet of Christ joined with Him, in the
work of bringing forth sons of God, during the Kingdom Age.
So the church will be the first of humanity to be glorified. But what about the Old Testament saints that
is, those who believed into the Coming One, before He came? And what of those who will believe into
Christ, but will then be martyred during the Tribulation?
These are not part of the church, but they are still believers in the time before and after the church age.
These saints will be raised from the dead after the Tribulation, when Christ returns to set up His kingdom
on earth. Jesus called this the resurrection of Life (Jn 5:29). In this way, the Son will be the firstborn
among many brethren, who will all be conformed to His glorious image (Rm 8:29).
So is Paul referring to the church here, or to the OT saints, or to the Tribulation saints or all three? It
would seem that Paul is certainly including the church of the Firstborn; but he is undoubtedly generalizing
here to ALL of the sons of glory, who are ALL part of the new creation, in Him, over ALL of whom He has
the preeminence.
Just as we have seen that the Son is preeminent over all the created universe, so He will be over all the new
creation that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Then Paul explains the reason why this gives Him the preeminence over all things.
v. 19-20 So we see that, just as God accomplished the work of creation through the Son, which gave the
Son preeminence over the universe, God likewise completed His work of redemption through the Son
giving the Son the place of honor over the new creation.
As Paul begins to explain this, he says that it pleased the Father that in Him the Son all the fullness
should dwell. Although the Father is not in the original Greek, it is clearly implied by verse 20, as it must
be God the Father who reconciles all things to Himself, through the Son. Dwell means to inhabit a house
or place, showing that Paul is referring to the Son inhabiting a body.
But what does it mean that in Him all the fullness should dwell? What is this fullness? In the Greek,
this is a general word meaning full measure, and is used in various ways, in the NT. But how does Paul
intend the word, here?
Well, in the second chapter of this letter, verse 9, Paul speaks of all the fullness of the Godhead dwelling
bodily in Christ. Paul is saying that in Christ all of the essence of God, Spirit Being of Deity in its full
measure of perfection, inhabited a human body.
The sense is similar here, but the emphasis is less on the essence of Deity, and more on the attributes of
Deity; specifically, Paul has in view the righteousness of God. We understand this as we trace the thought
back from verse 20.

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The only way that mankind could be reconciled to God was if Gods justice could be satisfied, concerning
their sin. And the only way for that to be realized was for God Himself, in His perfect righteousness, to
come to earth in a body; a body whose blood could be shed, for the remission of sins.
Therefore, it pleased the Father it was the good pleasure of His will that Deity, complete in full essence
and attributes, and specifically in full righteousness, would dwell in a body. And so the Fathers will was
done, through the person of the Son.
We cannot help but note that Paul is speaking of reconciling more than just men, here. Instead, Paul says,
reconcile all things to Himself to God and proceeds to qualify this as all things on earth and all things
in heaven. In this same passage, we have seen this refers to the whole created universe. So what can Paul
mean by this?
We begin to see the answer in the word reconcile. There are two words translated reconcile in the NT;
this one is rarely used. The more common word means setting up a relationship of peace that did not exist
before.
But this is a stronger word, and it means the restoration of a relationship of peace which has been disturbed.
This idea is borne out by Pauls use of the Greek for made peace. It speaks of bringing about a cessation
of hostilities.
Here, actual hostility is implied by Paul on the part of the created universe. This is to say that the universe
is involved in conflict with its Creator, and that it needs to be reconciled to Him; and that the conflict is to
be brought to an end, and peace established.
Through His Son, God has already secured the peace terms that was through the blood of His cross.
Having made the peace, God is now in the process of establishing it on earth, and in heaven.
Reconciliation is Gods divine purpose, for all of His creation. Peter spoke of the fulfillment of this as the
times of restoration of all things (Acts 3:21) when the universe is restored to a relationship of peace, with
God.
Paul wrote of this same purpose of God in Ephesians. Turn to Ephesians chapter 1. Paul called this the
mystery of Gods will what the Father purposed, in Christ.
[Ephesians 1:10]
In the Fathers administration over the entire created universe through time, the purpose that He has been
accomplishing is to gather together in one all things in Christ.
This implies both unity in Christ, and submission to His authority of all things, in heaven and on earth.
And from our passage in Colossians, we understand that this is being accomplished through reconciliation;
through making peace, where peace has been disturbed.
So now we must ask the question, what happened to the peace in Gods universe? How did it get
disturbed? For that, we must go back before the beginning. Before the beginning, what was there? God.
The three persons of the Godhead, in complete accord in their minds, their emotions, their wills one Spirit
of Deity. God was all in all. And there was perfect peace.

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In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And among the many things that God created, He
created personal spirit beings. He created angelic spirit beings, to be his ministers in heaven; and He
created spirit beings of humanity on earth, who would one day bear His image, as His sons. All were to be
for the glory of God, in accordance with fulfillment of His will.
God gave all of the personal spirit beings He created both angels and men the ability to freely make
choices, in the exercise of their will. This freedom was an extension of Gods love, which would never
compel the subjects of His love to do His will. Doing the will of God was to be their own choice the
obedience of love, in response to the love of their Creator, for them.
But the freedom which God gave also allowed the personal spirit beings to use it as license; license to do
their own will, over the will of their Creator. And that is exactly what both the angelic and human creations
did.
First Satan put his will over the will of God, aspiring in his pride to be like the Most High God, coveting
the creation God had made, for himself. And some of the angelic host followed him, in his rebellion. Then
mankind also put their will over the will of their Creator.
And so the peace of God had been disturbed by lawlessness, on the part of both the angelic and the
human creations. And in their lawlessness, these personal spirit beings had positioned themselves at enmity
against God. The universe had become a hostile place, warring against their Creator.
Now, who caused this enmity? Did God cause it? Not in any way. But it is God who took the initiative of
resolving the conflict for He is the only One who could. And more than that, He always knew He would
He foreknew it.
It was the will of the Father that the Son, who is fully God, in His being and in His righteousness, would
come to the earth, and dwell in a mortal body, in order to secure the peace.
When the Son was born of the virgin Mary, Gods holy angels heralded His birth to some shepherds. Do
you remember what the angels proclaimed? Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, toward men
of good will (Lk 2:14).
Here was the One who would bring peace to men if they would submit to the will of God, and accept His
peace terms.
That peace came at an immeasurable cost the cross. Turn to Second Corinthians chapter 5. In speaking of
his ministry of reconciliation, Paul makes it clear how God was able to extend reconciliation, to men.
[Second Corinthians 5:18-21]
v. 18-19 When Paul says that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, He is meaning that the
Father worked His plan of reconciliation through Christ. By the shed blood of Gods Son on the cross, all
of the sin of the world was taken away. Mens trespasses would no longer be held to their account; and
therefore, they were no longer considered offenders; they could be reconciled to God.
Of course, men need to believe into the person and the work of the Son, on their behalf, in order to be
reconciled to God which is what Paul brings out next.

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v. 20-21 Christ knew no sin; He was perfect in His righteousness. He took the sin of the world upon
Himself, on the cross, as mens substitute, in order for them to become righteous, in Him. And in this way,
God made the peace with Himself, for men; on their behalf, as their Mediator.
So we see how believers have been reconciled to God, so that they have peace with Him. And that peace
offer extended back to the beginning of time, through the Coming One, whom God revealed to men.
But what about those who chose not to be reconciled to God? Remember that the idea of God making
peace is bringing about a cessation of hostilities. Men may refuse Gods offering of peace, through the
blood of the cross, but if they do, God will have the final word on it. Death brings about the cessation of
hostility, on their part, doesnt it? And following death is judgment.
Meanwhile, still more men will continue to be born in the flesh, with lawlessness in their hearts. And what
about the lawless angelic beings, who rebelled against God; they dont have bodies, so they will never die.
Will the enmity ever end? Yes.
After the true church is caught up to be with the Lord in the New Jerusalem, the Tribulation will take place
on the earth. All those who refused to be reconciled to God will go through that judgment. For some men,
their desperation during that time will cause them to receive the peace that God has offered them, in Christ.
Halfway through the Tribulation, war will break out in heaven the angels of God will prevail, and Satan
and his angels will be cast out of the heavens, to the earth (Rev 12:7-9). This cleansing of the heavens will
result in a cessation of hostility there (2 Pet 3:10-13), for all who remain the holy angels and the church
are at peace with God.
At the end of the Tribulation, Satan will be defeated, and bound for a thousand years in the pit of the abyss
(Rev 20:2). His angels will have been trapped in the world system, as it was destroyed by the fiery
judgment (Rev 18:2). In this case, God will make His peace through the subduing and removal of these
enemies.
Then Jesus will come again to set up His kingdom on the earth a kingdom of perfect righteousness and
peace. It is at that time that the resurrection of Life will take place. Were going to look at that in First
Corinthians chapter 15.
Now, Paul has been writing throughout this chapter about resurrection. Resurrection always speaks of
raising a dead body back to life; they are resurrected out from among all the other dead bodies. To put it
graphically, resurrection always pertains to a corpse.
In verse 20-22, Paul is talking about those who believe in Christ, in general; the assurance of their
resurrection from the dead.
But as Paul continues in verse 23-28, he begins to speak specifically of the resurrection of Life, that will
take place after the Tribulation, when Christ returns to set up His kingdom.
Then at the end of this chapter, Paul will speak of the raising up of the church, which will take place before
the Tribulation (v. 50-57). We see these sections delineated by the difference in pronouns, that Paul uses.
When he is speaking of the church, it is we, for he is including himself.
Well just be looking at the first part, and the resurrection of Life.

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[First Corinthians 15:20-28]

v. 20 Those who have fallen asleep is a phrase Paul uses to refer to those who died, believing in Christ.
Since they will awaken in the newness of life as a glorified son of God, they are just asleep; its
temporary.
Christ is the firstfruits of these sleeping saints. As the first ripened grain guarantees the rest of the harvest,
so the resurrection of Christ is the guarantee that believers who have died will also be resurrected any
believer, in any age.
v. 21-22 Here Paul is laying out the two men, and the creations in them; those born of the corruptible seed
of Adam, who will die; and those born of the Incorruptible Seed, Christ who, if they die, will be
resurrected in glory.
Now Paul speaks specifically of the resurrection at the beginning of the Kingdom age.
v. 23 Paul is giving an order to the resurrection. Christ is first to be raised from the dead in a body of
glory; He is the firstborn, from the dead. Then those who are Christs will be resurrected at His Coming.
Now, this is not His coming for the church, in the air; that will already have taken place, seven years
previous. This is speaking instead of His Second Coming to the earth.
We can know this, because the balance of this passage is speaking of the events of the Kingdom age. Also,
recall that the church is discussed by Paul separately, later.
So who are these believers, who are Christs, at His Second Coming to the earth? They are the sons of God
which were produced before and after the church age: the OT saints, and also the saints who were
martyred during the Tribulation. They will reign with Christ on the earth for a thousand years (Dan 12:1-3,
Rev 20:4).
v. 24-26 Since Jesus ascended back into heaven, He has been seated at the right hand of God, while the
Father makes His enemies His footstool (Ps 110:1); so Jesus is even now on the throne, reigning over the
earth.
The end which Paul speaks of in verse 24 is the end of Gentile dominion, on the earth. That end will
come when Jesus returns at His Second Coming, and sets up His kingdom on the earth, which He delivers
to His Father, a completed work.
The nation of Israel, which will be entirely regenerate, will be the head nation during the Kingdom age.
Israel will teach the truth of God to the other nations, including all those born during the Kingdom age, so
that they, too, may become regenerate.
It is at His return to the earth that the Son will destroy the last enemy; death. Death is destroyed in the
resurrection of Life. After that resurrection, earthly bodies will no longer be consigned to Death; they will
be alive throughout the thousand year reign of Christ on the earth.
Death will only serve as a penalty for outwardly expressed disobedience of any rebel who is unwilling to
submit to the rule of Christ in the Kingdom Age. So once Christ has established the peace at the beginning
of the Kingdom age, it will remain undisturbed throughout His reign.

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v. 27-28 Paul is showing that in the end through the Kingdom age, and into eternity everything will be
in its proper place. All things in the created universe will be subject to Christ either reconciled to Him, or
subdued and removed, as an enemy.
Christ will be, as He has always been, subject to God; placing Himself under the Fathers authority, as
preeminent among the sons of God.
And with all things reconciled to God, God is, once again, as He was before the beginning, all in all all
created things are at peace with God, because they are now all of God both the angelic and human
creation.
As Paul wrote to the Philippians, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven the
angelic creation of those on earth the creation of humanity and of those under the earth those
men who refused Gods peace offering, and have been subdued in death.
As eternity is ushered in, every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the
glory of God the Father (Phil 2:10-11). There will be only sons of God. Gods kingdom of sons will be
complete in both the heavenly and earthly realms.
God has reconciled all things to Himself through His Son. Creations right response is to accept the peace
terms, and be reconciled to God.
Pauls sweeping statement concerning the Son was intended to restore Him to His proper place, in the eyes
of the Colossians by showing them the glory, of the Son. He is the One through whom all of the Fathers
purposes for the entire universe have been realized and particularly, for mankind. He is God Himself, and
so no other Mediator is needed. His work is complete, so it cannot be added to, enhanced in any way.
Next we will see that Paul gets personal with the Colossian believers, as he begins to challenge what they
have been doing in light of this.
Reading: Colossians 1, Rm 5:1-11, Lev 3, 7:11-36.