Devine Scripture

Colossians 1:18

What does Colossians 1:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 1:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 1:18 means

Christ is “the head of the body, the church,” the source of its life, direction, and unity. He is “the beginning,” anchoring the church’s origin in Himself. As “the firstborn from the dead,” He holds the supreme place in resurrection, inaugurating the new creation. The purpose clause—“that in all things he might have the preeminence”—summarizes the hymn’s thrust: Christ must be first everywhere. His resurrection victory ensures His lordship over the church as surely as His creative power ensures His lordship over the cosmos. The church’s health depends on its living connection to its Head, receiving from Him guidance, growth, and power.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he is the head of the body, the church: the starting point of all things, the first to come again from the dead; so that in all things he might have the chief place.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And himself is the head of the body--the assembly--who is a beginning, a first-born out of the dead, that he might become in all <FI>things<Fi> --himself--first,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he may hold the primacy:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he is the head of the body, the assembly; who is [the] beginning, firstborn from among the dead, that he might have the first place in all things:

Context

Verse 18 transitions from Christ’s supremacy in creation (verses 15–17) to His supremacy in redemption and the church. It prepares for verses 19–20, which ground this preeminence in the fullness that dwells in Him and His reconciling work by the cross. This movement from creation to new creation binds together doctrine and hope, setting the table for personal application to the Colossians’ reconciliation in verses 21–23.

v.17and he is before all things, and in him all things consist.

v.18This passage

v.19For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Colossians 2:10

    and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:

  • Ephesians 1:22

    and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church,

  • 1 Corinthians 15:25

    For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.

  • Revelation 5:9

    And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,

  • John 1:27

    even he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose.

  • Ephesians 4:15

    but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;

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