The Preeminence of Christ

9 For this reason, from the day we heard this, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, 10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord with every desire to please him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to [fn]the Father, who has enabled [fn]us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have [fn]redemption, the remission of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions, rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything he may be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace through the blood of his cross.

21 At one time you were alienated from God and hostile in your minds because of your evil works. But now [fn]God has reconciled you to himself 22 through the death of Christ in his physical body, [fn]in order to bring you into his own presence as holy, unblemished, and above reproach, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, without shifting away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been preached in all creation under heaven, and of this gospel I, Paul, have become a servant.