The Image of the Invisible God in Colossians 1
The Image of the Invisible God in Colossians 1:15
Colossians 1:15 describes Jesus Christ as "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" [1]. This verse is part of a larger passage (Colossians 1:15-20) that presents Jesus as the supreme creator and redeemer. The characterization of Christ as the "image of the invisible God" is a significant Christological statement that has been interpreted in various ways throughout history.
The phrase "image of the invisible God" suggests that Jesus is the visible representation of God, who is otherwise invisible to humanity. According to John Chrysostom, this phrase indicates that Jesus is the perfect representation of God's nature, even though God is invisible [3]. Adam Clarke notes that if Jesus is the image of the invisible God, then the image must be invisible as well, referring to the divine nature of Christ rather than his physical appearance [5].
The term "image" (εἰκών, eikōn) is significant in this context. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, eikōn is used to describe humanity created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). The term is also associated with the wisdom figure in Jewish writings [7]. Calvin explains that the term "image" implies a perfect representation, where two substantive nouns relate to the same thing without being conjoined [6].
The context of Colossians 1:15 is crucial for understanding its meaning. The passage is part of a hymn or poetic section that celebrates Christ's supremacy over creation and the church. The surrounding verses (Colossians 1:16-17) emphasize Christ's role as creator and sustainer of all things [4]. The description of Christ as "the firstborn of all creation" has been interpreted in different ways, with some understanding it to mean that Christ is the first created being, while others see it as a reference to his preeminence over creation [2].
Throughout history, Colossians 1:15 has played a significant role in Christological debates. The verse has been used to affirm the divinity of Christ and his role as the perfect representation of God. As Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown note, this passage presents Christ as above the highest angels, emphasizing his superiority over other spiritual beings [4]. The characterization of Christ as the image of the invisible God has also been influential in shaping Christian theology and worship.
The interpretation of Colossians 1:15 continues to be relevant in contemporary Christian theology. The verse remains a crucial text for understanding the nature of Christ and his relationship to God. As the Tyndale House commentary notes, the passage is likely quoting an early Christian hymn about Jesus, highlighting the significance of this verse in the early Christian tradition [7].
Sources
- Colossians “who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. -- Colossians 1:15”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:15: Who is the image of the invisible God,.... Not of deity, though the fulness of it dwells in him; nor of himself, though he is the true God, and eternal life; nor of the Spirit, who also is God, and the Spirit of the Son; but the Father, called "God", not to the exclusion of the Son or Spirit, who are with him the one God: "and he is invisible"; not to the Son who lay in his bosom, and had perfect and infinite knowledge of him; nor, in some sense, to angels, who always behold his face, but to men: no man hath seen him corporeally with the eyes of his body, though i”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Homily III. Colossians i. 15–18 “Who is the Image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation: for in Him were all things created, in the heavens, and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers: all things have been created through Him, and unto Him; and He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the Church.” To-day it is necessary for me to pay the debt, which yesterday 732 732 See Hom. ii. § 3 fin. I deferred,”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:15: They who have experienced in themselves "redemption" (Col 1:14), know Christ in the glorious character here described, as above the highest angels to whom the false teachers (Col 2:18) taught worship was to be paid. Paul describes Him: (1) in relation to God and creation (Col 1:15-17); (2) in relation to the Church (Col 1:18-20). As the former regards Him as the Creator (Col 1:15-16) and the Sustainer (Col 1:17) of the natural world; so the latter, as the source and stay of the new moral creation. image--exact likeness and perfect Representative.”
- Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 1:15: Who is the image of the invisible God - The counterpart of God Almighty, and if the image of the invisible God, consequently nothing that appeared in him could be that image; for if it could be visible in the Son, it could also be visible in the Father; but if the Father be invisible, consequently his image in the Son must be invisible also. This is that form of God of which he divested himself; the ineffable glory in which he not only did not appear, as to its splendor and accompaniments, but concealed also its essential nature; that inaccessible light which no”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 26.5: the meaning of the term apposition is furnished in a marginal note in our author’s French version: “ C’est quand deux noms substantifs appartenans a vne mesme chose, sont mis ensemble sans conionction, comme par declaration l’vn et l’autre ;” — “This is when two substantive nouns, relating to the same thing, are placed together without being conjoined, as if by way of explanation, the one and the other.” For, unquestionably, when God remits our transgressions, he exempts us from condemnation to eternal death. This ”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 1:15: 1:15-20 Paul presents Jesus as the supreme creator (1:15-17) and redeemer (1:18-20). The series of short statements, the exalted conceptions of Christ, and the parallelism in language and thought strongly suggest that these verses quote an early Christian hymn about Jesus that Paul applied to the situation of the Colossian Christians. 1:15 visible image: In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, eikōn (“image, representation”) is used to refer to human beings having been made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27) and also to the wisdom figure in Jewish writin”