COLOSSIANS 1 - THE SUPREME CHRIST

 

COLOSSIANS 1 is clear: to exalt Christ as supreme and sufficient in all things.

1. Faith, Love, and Hope in Christ (1:1–8)

Paul begins by thanking God for the Colossians’:

• Faith in Christ
• Love for all the saints
• Hope laid up in heaven

These virtues flow from the true gospel, which is bearing fruit worldwide.

A healthy church grows when the gospel is rightly understood and lived out.

2. Paul’s Prayer: Growing in Christ (1:9–14)

Paul prays not for comfort, but for spiritual maturity:

• Knowledge of God’s will
• Wisdom and understanding
• A life worthy of the Lord
• Strength with endurance and patience
• Gratitude to God

God has:

• Rescued us from darkness
• Transferred us into Christ’s kingdom
• Redeemed and forgiven us

Christian growth is about knowing Christ deeply and walking in His will.

3. The Supremacy of Christ (1:15–20)

This is one of the strongest Christological passages in Scripture.

Christ is:

• The image of the invisible God
• Firstborn over all creation (supreme, not created)
• Creator of all things
• Before all things
• Head of the church
• The fullness of God
• The reconciler of all things through the cross

Jesus is not part of creation—He is Lord over creation.

 

4. Reconciled by Christ’s Death (1:21–23)

Once alienated and hostile, believers are now:

• Reconciled
• Made holy
• Presented blameless before God

This reconciliation calls believers to continue in faith, grounded in the gospel.

Salvation transforms our identity and calls us to perseverance.

 

5. Paul’s Ministry: Christ in You (1:24–29)

Paul rejoices in suffering because his mission is to proclaim:

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

His goal is to:

• Present every believer mature in Christ
• Labor by God’s power working in him

The Christian life is Christ living in us, producing eternal hope.

 

LET US REFLECT AND ASK OURSELVES:

1. Is Christ truly supreme in my life?

Not just Savior—but Lord over my decisions, priorities, and identity?

 Colossians 1:18 – “That in all things He may have the preeminence.”

 

2. Am I growing in knowledge and obedience?

Do I seek God’s will daily, or settle for shallow faith?

Colossians 1:10 – “Walk worthy of the Lord… increasing in the knowledge of God.”

 

3. Do I live with gratitude for redemption?

I was rescued from darkness—do I live as one who is free?

Colossians 1:13–14 - He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, [3] the forgiveness of sins.

4. Is “Christ in me” visible to others?

Does my life reflect hope, holiness, and perseverance?

Colossians 1:27 - To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which [4] is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 

5. Am I committed to spiritual maturity?

Christian life is not just beginning well, but finishing faithful.

Colossians 1:28 – “That we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are supreme over all creation and Lord of my life.
Help me to grow in knowing You, walking worthy of You,
and living out the hope of glory that dwells within me.
Be preeminent in all things. Amen.