“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent — archē (beginning, source) of all things applies now to resurrection: Christ is inaugurator of resurrection-reality. 'Firstborn from the dead' (prōtotokos ek tōn nekrōn) asserts his priority in resurrection (echoing 1 Corinthians 15:20). 'That in everything he might be preeminent' (hina gēnetai en pasin autos prōteuō) establishes supremacy as the purpose of resurrection. Resurrection validates his lordship.
Church Fathers on Colossians 1:20
“For it was the good pleasure of the Father, that in Him should all the fullness dwell. And having made peace through the Blood of His Cross, through Him to reconcile all things unto Himself, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.” Whatsoever things are of the Father, these he says are of the Son also, and that with more of intensity, because that He both became “dead” for, and united Himself to us. He said, “Firstfruits,” as of fruits. He said not…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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