Colossians 1:17

The next two distinguishing identifying marks of Jesus’ superiority to any other person who has ever lived that Paul makes are in this short verse. Paul’s fifth statement tells us that all fullness dwells in the incarnate Son[1]. Christ existed prior to Creation. He is the great “I Am” (John 8:58) As has been said, “The Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament.”[2]

That brings up the sixth identifying mark, Christ is the personal sustainer and preserver of all Creation. The Greek word used here is sunistemi and can mean to permanently frame, to be compact.[3] He holds everything together, he maintains creation. Dr. J. Vernon McGee says “He is the super glue of the universe.”[4] We have a cosmos and not a chaos because He maintains all harmony and order. Without Christ, all things would disintegrate. We see this echoed in Hebrews 1:3 (HCSB), “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word.”

Prayer: Gracious and Holy Lord, may I praise and worship You today. Jesus, You are the sustainer and preserver of all Creation. Without You we would not exist, and without You we could not continue to exist. Thank You for holding it all together. I worship You for Who You are. Amen.

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[1] See Colossians 2:9. 

[2] Falwell, Jerry, ed. Liberty Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983. Page 2457. 

[3] Perschbacher, Wesley J., ed. The New Analytical Greek Lexicon. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc, 1990. Page 395, and W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996). Page 124. 

[4] McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible. Vol. V. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983. V vols. Page 340.