16 (A)For by him were all things created which are in heaven, and which are in earth, things visible and invisible: whether they be [a]Thrones, or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers, all things were created by him, and for him.

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

18 [b]And he is the head of the body of the Church: he is the beginning, (B)and the [c]first begotten of the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:16 He setteth forth the Angels with glorious names, that by the comparison of most excellent spirits we may understand how far passing the excellence of Christ, in whom only we have to content ourselves, and let go all Angels.
  2. Colossians 1:18 Having gloriously declared the excellent dignity of the person of Christ, he describeth his office and function, to wit, that he is that same to the Church, that the head is to the body, that is to say, the prince and governor of it, and the very beginning of true life, as who rising first from death, he is the Author of eternal life, so that he is above all, in whom only there is most plentiful abundance of all good things, which is poured out upon the Church.
  3. Colossians 1:18 Who so rose again that he shall die no more, and who raiseth others from death to life by his power.

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