The Preeminence of Christ

Colossians 1

¹⁵ _i He is the image of _j the invisible God, _k the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by ₁ him all things were created, _l in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether _m thrones or _n dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created _o through him and for him. ¹⁷ And _p he is before all things, and in him all things _q hold together. ¹⁸ And _r he is the head of the body, the church. He is _s the beginning, _t the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ¹⁹ For _u in him all the _v fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰ and _w through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, _x making peace _y by the blood of his cross.

²¹ _z And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, _a doing evil deeds, ²² he has now reconciled _b in his body of flesh by his death, _c in order to present you holy and blameless and _d above reproach before him, ²³ _e if indeed you continue in the faith, _f stable and steadfast, not shifting from _g the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed _h in all creation ₂ under heaven, _i and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

1. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 4:4
   In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
   
2. Cross References
   1 Timothy 1:17
   To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
   
3. Cross References
   Psalms 89:27
   And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
   Romans 8:29
   For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
   
4. Cross References
   Ephesians 1:10
   As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
   
5. Cross References
   Ezekiel 10:1
   Then I looked, and behold, on the expanse that was over the heads of the cherubim there appeared above them something like a sapphire, in appearance like a throne.
   
6. Cross References
   Ephesians 1:21
   Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
   
7. Cross References
   Romans 11:36
   For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
   1 Corinthians 8:6
   Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
   
8. Cross References
   John 8:58
   Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.
   John 1:1
   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
   
9. Cross References
   Hebrews 1:3
   He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
   
10. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:22 - 23
    And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.
    
11. Cross References
    Revelation 3:14
    And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
    
12. Cross References
    Acts 26:23
    That the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.
    1 Corinthians 15:20
    But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
    Revelation 1:5
    And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
    
13. Cross References
    Colossians 2:9
    For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.
    
14. Cross References
    John 1:16
    And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
    
15. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:18
    All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
    Ephesians 1:10
    As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
    
16. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:14
    For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
    
17. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:13
    But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
    
18. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:1 - 2
    And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
    Ephesians 2:12
    Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
    
19. Cross References
    Titus 1:16
    They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
    
20. Cross References
    Romans 7:4
    Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.
    
21. Cross References
    Jude 1:24
    Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.
    Ephesians 1:4
    Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
    Ephesians 5:27
    So that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
    
22. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:8
    Who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    
23. Cross References
    John 15:4
    Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
    
24. Cross References
    Colossians 2:7
    Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
    Ephesians 3:17
    So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love.
    
25. Cross References
    Colossians 1:5 - 6
    Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel.
    
26. Cross References
    Mark 16:15
    And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
    Acts 2:5
    Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.
    
27. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:6
    Who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.