In Colossians 1:15, it says that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He is the firstborn of every creature. Image comes from the Greek word eikon, which means “likeness, i.e. (literal) statue, profile, or (figurative) representation, resemblance.” [Strong’s Talking Greek-Hebrew Dictionary] Jesus is the visible representation of the invisible God. The fact that Jesus is the firstborn of the new generation means that He is the second Adam. Through Jesus, all things were created both in heaven and in earth. This covers both the visible and invisible things of creation. This includes thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. All things have been created for him and by him. He existed before all these things. Everything exists through him. Verse 17.
Verse 18 speaks of Jesus’ place in the New Testament church. He is the head of the Body. Since He is the Head of the body, all things flow from Him. This includes spiritual knowledge, wisdom and understanding. The body [church] responds and moves according to the thoughts of the brain. The brain is constantly sends messages to the body. Our brain sends messages to our body parts telling them how to function. We do not have to “think” about breathing, blinking our eyes, moving. These actions are automatic. So is the body of Christ. The very thoughts and actions of the Head flow through the body. If this is so, then why do we have a hard time doing the will of the Father? It is because we are circumventing the thoughts that are being sent to the body. When this happens, the body is attempting to walk according to its own wishes and desires. The body [church] is not a robot. There is still free will. Sometimes the body is obedient, and sometimes it is not.
I will deal with Colossians 1:19-22 later.
Living in the Light of Jesus' Words 