Colossians 1:15-20 is a famous passage in Paul’s epistles because it is a succinct and powerful poem. It appears even to have been a hymn. Given the uniquely Pauline language — “reconciliation” is a term used only by Paul — it should not seem odd to attribute the poem/hymn to Paul himself. Why should a genius of Paul’s stature not be able to write a poem? Philippians 2:6-11 may also have been one of his original compositions.
What is striking in the Colossians poem is the language of reconciliation in verse 20, for here, Paul speaks of “all things,” “whether things on earth or things in heaven.” Since the poem is a clear unit, the “all things” that Paul speaks of in verse 20 must be the same “all things” that he spoke of in verse 16.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
This is as comprehensive a statement as can be, clearly including, for example, all the heavenly authorities — angels in their various ranks. Of course, in verse 16 Paul is referring to the “all things” as they were originally created — the total harmony of the created world at the end of day six. In Genesis 1:31: “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” Only in the Bible does the universe begin “very good.” There is no original chaos, no warfare among the gods. The Biblical world begins in universal, heaven and earth, Shalom! There is no other worldview in the ancient world like this. No other religion or philosophy offers this beautiful story of the origin of all things.
But there is more! What Paul adds in Colossians 1:16 takes the universal Shalom much further, for there, Paul tells us not only that God created the world in grace and love for all His creatures, especially man, he says that the world was created not only “through” Christ, but “for” Him. The love that inspired creation was the love between the Father, Son, and Spirit! The peace and harmony of Genesis 1:31 was a revelation of the Creator God Himself.
Though Paul “sings” of this original Trinitarian wonder, his hymn in Colossians 1:15-20 does not spell out the whole story. He jumps from the total beauty and harmony of the original creation to the reconciliation of the cross. Why is there need for reconciliation? He doesn’t tell us in this hymn because we already know. Satan and his angels, Adam and his seed, fell into sin and rebellion. The original harmony and love was destroyed in acts of betrayal. Thus, reconciliation became necessary.
Paul says that Jesus accomplished the reconciliation through the blood of His cross. However, in speaking of that reconciliation, Paul indicates clearly, as I pointed out above, that the reconciliation accomplished is as wide and all-inclusive as the creation itself — all things, in heaven and earth. The cross “made peace.”
What kind of “peace” is Paul thinking of? He is thinking, no doubt, of the “peace” of the original creation, the same peace that Isaiah spoke of in his poem of Isaiah 66:12-14.
“For thus says Yahweh:
Behold, I will extend peace (Shalom!) to her like a river,
And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream.
Then you shall feed;
On her sides shall you be carried,
And be dandled on her knees.
As one whom his mother comforts,
So I will comfort you;
And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
When you see this, your heart shall rejoice,
And your bones shall flourish like grass;
The hand of Yahweh shall be known to His servants,
And His indignation to His enemies.
For behold, Yahweh will come with fire
And with His chariots, like a whirlwind,
To render His anger with fury,
And His rebuke with flames of fire.
For by fire and by His sword
Yahweh will judge all flesh;
And the slain of Yahweh shall be many.”
Examples could be multiplied, but it should be clear that there can be no peace in heaven or earth unless the enemies of Yahweh and His people are subdued. However odd it may be for us to think in these terms, it is actually part of the original Gospel promise, which was, after all a promise of war and painful victory (Genesis 3:15).
“And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”
Peace is costly and it necessarily includes the subjugation of those who hate peace. Thus, Colossians 1:20 must be read together with Colossians 2:13-15.
“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
On the cross, through Jesus’ blood, the handwriting that was against us — the law of Moses, not as it was given in grace, but as it functioned because of the flesh — was cancelled. The principalities and powers — in this case demonic rulers of darkness, to whom Paul alludes in Colossians 1:13 — are openly exposed.
Satan — the accuser of the brethren who accused them before God day and night (Revelation 12:10) — and his angels were exposed. Satan slandered God first (Genesis 3:1). All of Satan’s opposition to the saints from Abel to now is opposition to the God he hates. The demons joined Satan. By tempting men to sin, they gave the accuser ammunition in God’s covenantal court. Satan had no need to lie when accusing the sons of Adam. He had plenty to charge them with. But his lie was always and still is a lie about God, denying His goodness and love.
The cross exposed the lie. Jesus made peace through His blood. The God of love and grace made a public display of His true self and in so doing exposed the lies of Satan. By establishing peace through the blood of the cross, Jesus defeated Satan’s lies and made a spectacle of him and his demons.
Reconciliation and the imposition of peace for the salvation of the new humanity necessarily meant the defeat of the harlot Babylon. By crushing the enemy’s head, Jesus brought everlasting peace to His people. That is the reconciliation of all things that Paul is speaking of in Colossians 1:20. The promise of Genesis 3:15 is fulfilled in the cross!
Ralph Smith is pastor of Mitaka Evangelical Church.