The Supremacy of the Son (Colossians 1:15–23)
3 UST In God’ s Son, we see how glorious God is. In fact, God’ s Son perfectly shows what God is like. By speaking powerfully, he sustains everything{ that God has made}. After he purified his people from the wrong things that they did, he ascended into heaven and began to rule with God{ his Father}. BSB BSB: The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
4 UST { These things about him mean that} he is much greater than the spiritual beings. In the same way, the name that God now calls him is greater than their{ names}. BSB BSB: So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs.
5 UST { You can tell that God’ s Son is greater than the spiritual beings} because God did not at any time say these words to any spiritual being:“On this day, I have declared to everyone that I am your father, and you are my son!”{ He did not say these words about any spiritual being} either:“I will be his father, and he will be my son.”{ However, he did say these words to his own Son.} BSB BSB: For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father”? Or again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son”?
6 UST More than that, when God raised his Son into the heavenly world, he commanded:“All the spiritual beings who serve God must honor and praise him.” BSB BSB: And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”
7 UST God says this about the spiritual beings:“I have caused the spiritual beings who serve me to be{ like} the wind and{ like} burning fire.” BSB BSB: Now about the angels He says: “He makes His angels winds, His servants flames of fire.”
8 UST On the other hand,{ God says this} about his Son:“You who are God will rule forever, and you will reign justly over your kingdom. BSB BSB: But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.
9 UST You loved whatever is just, and you hated whatever breaks God’ s law. Because of that, I, your God, have caused you to be more powerful and joyful than anyone else who is with you.” BSB BSB: You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”
10 UST And{ God also says this about his Son:}“You are the Lord, who powerfully created everything that exists when it all began. BSB BSB: And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
11 UST All those things will eventually fall apart, but you keep on living forever. They are like clothing that becomes old and wears out, BSB BSB: They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment.
12 UST and you will{ remove them and} roll them up as if they were old clothes. In the same way that a person changes clothes, you will change the things that you created. In contrast, you are the one who stays the same and lives at all times!” BSB BSB: You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.”
13 UST God did not at any time say these words to any spiritual being:“Rule with me while I defeat all of your enemies!”{ However, he did say these words to his own Son.} BSB BSB: Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?
14 UST The spiritual beings are all powerful beings who serve God, and God has sent them to help those whom he will soon save. BSB BSB: Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
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