imageεἰκών
eikōn · Greek Noun
A manifestation or visual representation of an original; it signifies that Christ is the exact expression and visible likeness of the invisible God.
firstbornπρωτότοκος
prōtotokos · Greek Noun
One who holds the status of preeminence, priority, and inheritance; it does not necessarily imply being created, but rather holding the highest rank and authority over all that exists.
were createdἐκτίσθη
ektisthē · Greek Verb
The act of bringing something into existence out of nothing; the divine prerogative of God alone. It signifies God's sovereignty over the entirety of the created order.
all thingsπάντα
panta · Greek Adjective/Pronoun
A collective term for the sum total of existence; everything that exists, whether physical or spiritual. In theology, this encompasses all reality outside of God himself.
thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesθρόνοι, κυριότητες, ἀρχαί, ἐξουσίαι
thronoi, kyriotētes, archai, exousiai · Greek Noun
Refers to spiritual powers or celestial hierarchies, often implying angelic or demonic realms. In biblical theology, these are created beings subject to the authority of Christ.
beforeπρὸ
pro · Greek Preposition
The state of existing prior to anything else; often denotes divine pre-existence, asserting that Christ is not a created being but is eternally divine.
hold togetherσυνέστηκεν
synestēken · Greek Verb
The divine activity of sustaining the universe. It reflects the truth that the universe does not exist independently but is constantly held in being by Christ's power.
headκεφαλή
kephalē · Greek Noun
The source of authority and life for the community of believers; metaphorically used to describe Christ’s relationship to the Church as its guiding, governing power.
churchἐκκλησία
ekklēsia · Greek Noun
The community of God's people; the assembly of those called out by God, established by Christ and united to Him as His spiritual body.
beginningἀρχή
archē · Greek Noun
The source, origin, or founder; in this context, it signifies Christ as the primordial cause of the new creation.
firstbornπρωτότοκος
prōtotokos · Greek Adjective/Noun
A term of status and rank rather than just birth order; it signifies priority, supremacy, and the status of the heir. Applied to Christ, it refers to His resurrection as the first to conquer death eternally.
preeminentπρωτεύων
prōteuōn · Greek Verb/Adjective
Surpassing all others in rank, authority, and status; occupying the first place in all things. It emphasizes Christ's unrivaled dignity and lordship.
fullnessπλήρωμα
plērōma · Greek Noun
The entirety of divine nature and attributes; the completeness of God's essence. It declares that Christ is fully, essentially, and completely God.
reconcileἀποκαταλλάξαι
apokatallaxai · Greek Verb
The restoration of a broken relationship or state of hostility to one of harmony and friendship. Biblically, it refers to the removal of the barrier of sin that separated humanity from God.
peaceεἰρήνην
eirēnēn · Greek Noun
The state of wholeness, well-being, and harmony, both between God and man and between human beings. It is the result of Christ's work on the cross, ending the enmity caused by sin.
blood of his crossαἵματος τοῦ σταυροῦ
haimatos tou staurou · Greek Noun phrase
The sacrificial death of Jesus; the instrument of substitutionary atonement. The "blood" represents the shedding of His life-force to pay the penalty for sin.
