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Lenten Observations, March 26, 2026 - Parallel passages

I participate in a small group Bible study with our pastor that he has with a group before the sermon as part of his sermon preparation. It is deeply important to me. We studied Colossians 1:15-23. 

Colossians 1 has many parallels with Ephesians 1. These were sister churches, Gentile mostly, that did not have any outstanding moral problems. Scholars believe there was an early version of Gnosticism in Colosse (which I have seen from a distance standing in the streets of Laodicea). which explains the emphasis on Christology. As one participant said last night, it's like Paul was talking about the Colossians and just set it aside to say how awesome Jesus is. The pastor said it might be an old hymn or parts of it. It is so poetic that that seems reasonable. 

I need this passage today due to a family issue yesterday. I have taken out the verse markers. This is the English Standard Version translation.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,  and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,  he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,  if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[g] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. 

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