Colossians chapter 1

vs 11

The power of God in this case is for endurance and patience. I don't know how many times I have prayed for those things. Just think - next time you ask someone to be patient, you're asking them to call on the mighty power of the Lord!

vs 12

We should be thankful, because it is only by God's qualification that we can become members of the kingdom.

vs 13

Obviously in reference to the thing before about joining the kingdom, but this verse also shows that we were a member of another kingdom before that - or a dominion, which enslaved us. So it is not that we have come from a neutral position to join the kingdom, but instead we have been brought out of slavery into Christ's kingdom.

vs 14

So it is no wonder Paul speaks of redemption here, after describing us as being saved from a dark dominion. And his elucidation makes it clear what he's talking about - the slavery of sin.

vs 15

Interesting that the NASB uses the word 'of', which is completely incorrect theologically.

Remember that mankind is in the image of God - Jesus basically fulfils Adam's role as the image untarnished. And he inherits all creation, being the firstborn.

vs 16

The TNIV uses some interestingly different wording from the NIV here, talking about creation being made 'through' Christ instead of 'by' Christ. Regardless of how you read it, the authority and supremacy of Jesus as creator is well trumpeted here, with the entire reason for creation being for Christ.

vs 17

There aren't as many verses that talk about the sustaining power of holding creation together, but here is a good one. It also stresses his pre-eminence over creation by being before it.

vs 18

So Christ is already head of creation, but now more specifically he is head of the church, and also he is first among the resurrected. If anyone is in doubt of his supremacy, then this should clear it up.

vs 19

Which is a good explaination for why Christ is so supreme - because he is fully God.

vs 20

It wasn't enough to just be supremo over everything, though. God wanted relationship, not just brute authority. This is a good verse when you're wanting to back up God's attitude towards free will I think - his desire and plan involved reconciliation of people to himself if they denied his authority in the first place.