Colossians 1

Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus — 'Jehovah saves'; Christ — 'the Anointed One'

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, Colossians 1:1–4

Paul is Christ's apostle; he blesses the Saints from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and thanks the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ — the Father and the Son are distinct.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Minister of Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek Christos, Hebrew Messiah)

As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Colossians 1:7

Epaphras, who taught the Colossians, is a faithful servant of Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

The Lord

Lord — Master and rightful ruler; in Paul's letters the title of the risen Jesus, carrying the weight of the divine name

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:10

Paul prays the Saints will live in a way worthy of the Lord.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

His dear Son

Dear Son — the Beloved Son of the Father

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Colossians 1:12–13

The Father has rescued us from darkness and moved us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Matthew 3:17 — 'This is my beloved Son'

Redemption through His blood

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Colossians 1:14

In Christ we are redeemed and forgiven because of the blood He shed in His Atonement.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Ephesians 1:7 — 'In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins'

Image of God; Firstborn of every creature

Firstborn — the first of the Father's spirit children, holding the birthright and preeminence

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: Colossians 1:15

Christ perfectly shows what the Father is like, and He is the Firstborn of all the Father's children.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in D&C 93:21 — 'I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn'
• the same title in Hebrews 1:3 — 'the express image of his person'

Christ the Creator

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: Colossians 1:16–17

Under the Father, Christ created everything in heaven and earth; He existed before all things and holds all things together.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in John 1:3 — 'All things were made by him'
• the same event in Moses 1:33 — 'by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten'
• the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — 'the Creator of all things from the beginning'

Head of the Church; Firstborn from the dead

Firstborn from the dead — the first to rise in resurrection

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Colossians 1:18

Christ is the Head of His Church and the first ever to be resurrected, so He holds first place in everything.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Revelation 1:5 — 'the first begotten of the dead'
• the same event in 2 Nephi 2:8 — the Holy Messiah 'being the first that should rise'
• the same title in Ephesians 4:15 — 'the head, even Christ'

Peace through the blood of His cross

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; Colossians 1:19–20

The Father placed all fulness in Christ, and through the blood Christ shed on the cross He brings peace and reconciles all things to God.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 53:5 — 'the chastisement of our peace was upon him'

Reconciled through His death

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled Colossians 1:21–22

People who were enemies of God are made friends with Him through Christ's death in His physical body, so they can stand holy before Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

Afflictions of Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek Christos, Hebrew Messiah)

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: Colossians 1:24

Paul gladly suffers for the Church, Christ's body, sharing in the afflictions that come with following Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Christ in you, the hope of glory

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek Christos, Hebrew Messiah)

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: Colossians 1:26–28

The great revealed secret is Christ living in His people, their hope of glory; Paul preaches Him so every person can become perfect in Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it