“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities — all things are created through Christ, dia autou. The 'all things' is triadic: heaven/earth, visible/invisible, and spiritual powers (thrones, dominions, principalities, authorities—likely angelic ranks). Christ's creative role encompasses both material and immaterial realms. This challenges Gnostic dualism: material creation is not evil but Christ's work. The spiritual powers are not co-creators but creatures.
Church Fathers on Colossians 1:16
Today it is necessary for me to pay the debt, which yesterday I deferred, in order that I might address it to your minds when in full force. Paul, discoursing as we showed of the dignity of the Son, says these words: “Who is the Image of the invisible God.” Whose image then will you have Him be? God's? Then he is exactly like the one to whom you assign Him. For if as a man's image, say so, and I will have done with you as a madman. But if as God and God's Son, God's image, he…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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