Supremacy of Christ: Introduction
St Paul wrote the Epistle of Colossians in AD62, about 30 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
It was written to the Christians at Colossae. Around AD 60, a miracle attributed to Michael the Archangel, encouraged an angel cult in the city. This may have influenced what Paul decided to write in the Epistle.
Also tradition says that Philemon, mentioned in one of Paul’s letters, became a bishop of Colossae. Even though the city was small, it clearly was an important site for the early Church.
Colossae Heresy
It has been suggested by scholars that St Paul’s letter to the Colossians was to address a heresy. Even though work has been carried out to uncover it through what St Paul writes, it has been difficult to establish.
Some suggest he was rebutting Jewish mystical teachings, while others think it was syncretism with the pagan gods.
I personally favour the latter, as St Paul is showing how Christ is above all things. He is not Zeus, Mars or Osiris. He is greater than them and greater than the Archangel Michael.
Supremacy of Christ
This series will look at the verses 15 - 20 in the first chapter. We will unpack how the Supremacy of Christ can be understood. Especially in our Modern culture.
Colossians 1 v 15-20
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.