He Will Come to Have First Place in Everything (Colossians 1)

Colossians 1

This is a recap of our Bible Caller Club meeting on June 26th, 2026 over this passage. If you want to join the club and attend future meetings and study with us via phone, click here.

Context:

On the evening of June 26, 2026, our Bible study group began a new study in the book of Colossians. We learned that Paul wrote this letter to the church in Colossae to combat a dangerous heresy that mixed Greek, Jewish, and Oriental philosophies, which involved angel worship and asceticism (achieving holiness through self-denial), causing them to lose sight of Jesus.

1. What’s happening in this passage?

In our study tonight, we began our look into Colossians by reading the entire first chapter. The chapter opens with a standard greeting from Paul and Timothy to the church in Colossae (v. 1-2). Paul then gives thanks for their faith and the love they have, which stems from the hope of the gospel they had heard. He emphasizes how this same gospel is bearing fruit and multiplying not just in them, but all over the world (v. 3-8). Following this, Paul explains his prayer for them: that they would be filled with the knowledge of God's will, spiritual wisdom, and understanding, so they can live lives worthy of the Lord (v. 9-14). As one club member pointed out, this is a direct contrast to the false, earthly knowledge they were being tempted to follow.

The heart of the chapter, as we discussed, is a powerful declaration of Christ's supreme importance (v. 15-20). He is described as the "image of the invisible God," the creator of everything, the sustainer of everything ("in him all things hold together"), and the head of the church. The goal is that Jesus "will come to have first place in everything" (v. 18). Paul then reminds them that although they were once enemies of God, they have now been reconciled through Christ's death (v. 21-23). The chapter concludes with Paul describing his own ministry, explaining how he rejoices in his sufferings for the sake of the church. He labors to present the "mystery" which is "Christ in you, the hope of glory," and to teach everyone so they may be presented as complete in Christ (v. 24-29).

2. What is God revealing about humanity?

Our discussion brought to light several key truths about humanity. We noted that, before Christ, we are "formerly alienated and enemies in mind and in evil deeds" (v. 21). However, God wants to rescue us from this state and make His truth known to us. Despite this, we are prone to being led astray. As a couple of our younger members observed, we have a tendency to "lose sight of the main thing" and "follow whatever people say." The group acknowledged that we can easily be "moved away from the hope of the gospel" (v. 23) by slick-tongued people and popular ideas if we aren't careful. We are constantly faced with a choice, as one member put it, between following the authority of this world or the preeminent authority of God.

3. What is God revealing about Himself?

This passage revealed so much about God's nature. We spent a lot of time on verses 15-20, which magnificently detail Christ's identity. He is the very "image of the invisible God," the creator and sustainer of all things, the head of the church, and our all-sufficient reconciler. It was pointed out that "in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (v. 19), showing his complete divinity. Furthermore, God has a will for us and desires to fill us with the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to please Him (v. 9). One person highlighted God's "glorious might" (v. 11), which strengthens us and rescues us from "the authority of darkness" and transfers us into the kingdom of His Son (v. 13). We also discussed how encouraging it is that God doesn't give up on us. He is patient, giving us hope and directing us back to the right path, even when we start to stray.

4. How should our lives change?

Reflecting on this chapter, we concluded that our lives must change by actively giving Christ "first place in everything" (v. 18). As several members shared, this means we must listen to God, "stand firm in our faith," and worship Him alone, not angels or ourselves. To do this, we need to honestly ask ourselves if Jesus truly is in first place in our lives, or if other things have taken that spot. As one person pointed out, this requires regular self-evaluation. We must take time to reflect on the choices we're making and what we are allowing to influence us—be it music, books, or hobbies—to ensure we aren't unknowingly drifting away. We must continue steadfastly in the faith, viewing Christ as fully divine and all-sufficient, and not be moved away from the hope of the gospel to follow other empty things.