CREATOR

This great passage continues by giving us the reason for the supremacy of the Lord Jesus over all creation. Our text begins with the word ‘for’, which we understand as ‘because’ or ‘the reason for’ the former statement. Four times in these two verses we have the phrase ‘all things’ in reference to the creation.

The first statement is that ‘by (or ‘in’, Newberry) him ... all things’ were created. Marvin Vincent says, ‘?In?’? is not instrumental but local; not denying the instrumentality, but putting the fact of creation with reference to its sphere and centre. in Him, within the sphere of His personality resides the creative will and the creative energy, and in that sphere the creative act takes place’. Our text emphasizes that ‘all things’ take place as a result of His creative act - heaven and earth, visible and invisible - and all centres of authority in every realm. In all creation, He is the source and energy, Rev. 3.14.

The second statement will tell us the Firstborn was the agent through which all things were created. He is the sphere and centre and He is the agent through which all things were created. And thus all things find in Him their consummation. All creation in all its ages is created by Him, Heb. 1. 2. In other words, all of history is ‘HIS story’. Thus, the completion of history will be the glorification of the Firstborn over all creation.

The third statement declares that He is before all things, linking Him with the uncreated past eternity. Thus He is not part of or dependent on anything created, for He predates, is outside of, and is the source of all creation.

The fourth statement ascribes to Him the orderly arrangement and control of all things. He is the One who holds all together, bringing about the various forces that are in place so that the creation is orderly and cohesive.

He is not only the centre and sphere on which all creation depends, but the agent of that creation, the goal of, and the controller of all creation in its parts and in its history. There is no man, no religion and no philosophy with which He will share His glory. As Isaiah said, ‘I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another’, 42. 8.