The central theme of the Colossian epistle is found in chapter 3:11: “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” The apostle seems to sweep aside everyone to magnify Christ. The world’s greatest language–Greek; the onlyDivine religion that ever was–Jew; religious ordinances, as circumcision; non-religious Gentiles and races–uncircumcised; Barbarians, or the worst kind of barbarian–Scythian; slaves who are fettered or masters who are free; all must give place to Christ, for “Christ in all things must have the pre-eminence.”
Naturally in an epistle in which a great statement like this climaxes, we look for stages or indications of the theme going before. Notice five:
Christ All in Creation
“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” (1:16).
Not often in Scripture is there a repetition in the same verse: “In Him all things were created–all things were created through Him and for Him.” Here we have the sphere, the agent, and the purpose of creation.
However wise or carnal men may seek to evade the fact, and modernists or evolutionists try to explain it away, this is plain. The Scriptures declare that everything in heaven and earth, everything visible and invisible, all temporal and spiritual forces and powers were created by Christ.
The doctrines of grace, the discoveries of science, the development of history, and the divine revelation as to creation will yet harmonize in the realization that Christ is the cause, head, and goal of the created universe.
Christ All in Control
“And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist” or are controlled, upheld, and kept in being (1:17). John the Baptist was born six months before Jesus, yet John could say, “He was before me” (John 1:15). Abraham lived some 2200 years before the birth of Jesus, yet Christ said,”before Abram was, I AM.” Not “I was,” but “I AM” (Jn. 8:58). The world was created at least 4,000 years before Christ was born in Bethlehem, yet He spoke of His being with God, “before the world was” (Jn. 17:5). In fact, of Him the Spirit says, “From everlasting to everlasting Thou art God” (Ps. 90:2), and to Him the ancient prophecy ascribes the marvelous “before all” title of “The Father of Eternity” (Isa. 9:6, R. V., margin).
He is the Uncreated Creator of all things. “By Him all things consist.” The vast universe of God is all kept in place, controlled, and guided by the One whom “they slew and hanged on a tree” (Acts 5:30). Marvelous mystery! While aged Simeon upheld Him, He upheld Simeon, and the ground on which Simeon was standing!
Sweeping from the immensity of His power to the individuality of His care and love, I remember that “not a sparrow” on the lonely moor or sandy desert, unknown to and unnoticed by man, falls to the ground without His knowledge (Mt. 10:29). We can come to the smallest of particles, rejoicing that while “worlds on worlds are hanging on His hand,” He cares for every atom of every one of His own. “The very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Lk. 12:7). Christ All for my all.
Christ All in Salvation
“Having made peace through the blood of His Cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself.” (1:20).
In Philippians 2:10, where His dominion is in question, it is things in heaven, earth, and hell. In Colossians 1-20, where the theme is redemption, it is only heaven and earth. Solemn thought, there is no “blood,” and therefore no redemption in Hell. The one glad opportunity is “Now” (2 Cor. 6:2).
Whatever else the Scripture makes plain, it makes this plain, that Salvation is only by sacrifice, and that the sacrifice of an unblemished victim. The only Perfect Sacrifice ever offered, was when the Son of God “made peace through the Blood of His Cross,” for once, and only once, did perfect blood stain this sin-cursed earth, and that when “the Blood of His Own” (Acts 20:28, J. N. D. ) flowed from the Sacrifice and Victor of Calvary. “Neither is there Salvation in any other” for Christ is alone the Author and Finisher of Salvation.
Christ All in the Church
“And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands . . . increaseth with the increase of God” (2:19). “And He is the Head of the Body, the Church” (1:18).
Christ loved the Church, died for the Church, nourishes and cherishes the Church, and will yet present the Church faultless in glory. He is the Theme of worship, the Center of gathering, the Subject of ministry, the Power for service, the Object of praise in time, and of endless and ceaseless glory and triumph in eternity of every member of the Church .
Christ as Head of the Church implies three great principles–life, unity, and rule. He is the Source of spiritual life, the center of all spiritual unity, and the Sovereign of all saints. “One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren” (Mt. 23:8). How solemn to acknowledge as “Head of our Church” a pope, a priest, a human being of any description, or have any center but the God-given One.
Christ is All in Everyday Life
Lest any should think that “Christ is All” is a creational, theological, and yet not intensely practical, there is one more major theme. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus” (3:17). “Christ all” is now linked with every thought, word, and deed, and with every attitude and relationship of life. Observe how this great fact is linked with–
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands” (v. 18). They may take the word “obey” out of the marriage ceremony in the Prayer Book, but it remains firm in the Word of God. “Wives, obey,” not because inferior, or because commanded so to do, but because “it is fit so to do in the Lord.”
“Husbands, love your wives” (v. 19). Evidently the Spirit touches the weak spot in each. Wives to obey; husbands to love. Not emotion, but devotion; not sentiment, but sacrifice. Christ is All, Christ loved you, therefore, “love your wives,” and avoid any bitter words, irritable temper, unthoughtful acts, or unkind deeds. Sweet is the home life where husbands and wives “do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus.”
“Children, obey your parents in all things” (v. 20). Not answering back, nor counting them as effete and to be disregarded, Christian children especially should remember Him who was “subject to His parents” (Lk. 2:51), and “obey” because “this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Pleasing Christ, we please our parents; pleasing our parents, we please Christ.
“Fathers, provoke not your children” (v. 21). Instead of perpetually ordering, commanding, and demanding, remember that “like as a father pitieth His children” your heavenly Father pitied you, loved you, and bore with you. “Lest children should be discouraged,” sympathize with and make companions of your boys and girls, so that “Christ may be All” to parent and child alike.
“Mothers,” strange to say, are not named. Was it because He who said, “Son, behold Thy mother,” truly knew a mother’s heart, and mother love needed little exhortation. “Can a mother forget?” (Isa. 49:15)
“Servants, obey in all things your masters . . . not with eye-service, not as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God” (vs. 22). Most of those to whom the letter was addressed were slaves. If the injunction applied to them, how much more to any of us in whatever position of service we may be privileged to occupy. A servant’ s place, however menial, is a post of honor in which he or she may glorify God, “for ye serve the Lord Christ” (vs. 24). “A little maid” honoured God more than a great general in days gone by.
“Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal” (chap. 4:1). A much needed exhortation in the days of slavery, and much needed in many places today. Herein lies the solution of most of the problems of classes and masses, strikes and riots, and such like. The Model master is the one who gives “just and equal,” knowing that he has “also a Master in Heaven.”
Thus it will be evident that in God’s universe, in Christ’s Church, and in the Christian family, He has the pre-eminence.