Colossians 1:15-20

A. The preeminent person of Christ 1:15-20

In this section Paul revealed in what senses Christ is preeminent. One writer observed that this passage "represents a loftier conception of Christ’s person than is found anywhere else in the writings of Paul." [Note: E. F. Scott, The Epistles of Paul to the Colossians, to Philemon and to the Ephesians, p. 20.] Another wrote, "No comparable listing of so many characteristics of Christ and His deity are found in any other Scripture passage." [Note: Geisler, p. 672.] Paul described Jesus Christ in three relationships: to deity, to creation, and to the church. Some writers understood this passage to be an early Christian hymn. [Note: E.g, Dunn, pp. 85-86.]

"There are given here nine marks of identification of Christ which make Him different from and superior to any other person who has ever lived." [Note: McGee, 5:338.]

I believe there are thirteen.