Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
The cross references for Colossians 1:15 all relate to the idea that Jesus is the visible representation of God. They emphasize that Jesus is the image of God, the only Son from the Father, and that those who have seen Jesus have seen the Father. They also emphasize Jesus' equality with God and His role as the radiance of God's glory. All of these references point to the fact that Jesus is the visible representation of the invisible God.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. | Both passages refer to Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:15 speaks of Jesus as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. John 1:1 speaks of Jesus as the Word, who was with God and was God. Together, these two passages demonstrate that Jesus is the visible representation of God, and that he is both divine and human. |
| John 1:14: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. | Both passages refer to Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:15 states that Jesus is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of all creation. John 1:14 states that the Word, which is Jesus, became flesh and dwelt among us, and that we have seen his glory, which is the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. |
| John 1:18: No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. | Both passages refer to Jesus Christ as the visible representation of God. Colossians 1:15 describes Jesus as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. John 1:18 further explains that no one has ever seen God, but Jesus has made him known. This emphasizes Jesus' unique role as God's visible representation, allowing us to understand and experience God in a tangible way. |
| John 14:9: Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? | Both passages refer to Jesus' relationship to God the Father. Colossians 1:15 emphasizes Jesus as the image of God, the firstborn of all creation. John 14:9 further emphasizes this relationship by showing Jesus' divine nature and how He could be seen as an exact representation of the Father. |
| Romans 8:29: For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. | Both passages refer to Jesus as the "firstborn of all creation." In Colossians 1:15, this phrase is used to emphasize Jesus's preeminence and deity, as he is described as the "image of the invisible God." In Romans 8:29, the phrase is used to emphasize Jesus's redemptive work, as he was predestined to be the "firstborn among many brothers" through whom the world would be saved. |
| 2 Corinthians 4:4: In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. | Both passages refer to Jesus as the image of God. Colossians 1:15 states that Jesus is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of all creation. 2 Corinthians 4:4 emphasizes that Jesus is the image of God, and that the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel, which is the glory of Christ. |
| 2 Corinthians 4:6: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. | Both passages refer to Jesus Christ and the glory of God. Colossians 1:15 speaks of Jesus as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, which reveals the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:6 speaks of how God has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. This reveals how the glory of God is seen in the person of Jesus Christ. |
| Philippians 2:6: who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, | Both passages refer to Jesus Christ as God. Colossians 1:15 states that Jesus is the image of God and the firstborn of all creation, showing that Jesus is of the same nature as God. Philippians 2:6 states that Jesus, though in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, showing that Jesus humbled himself and was willing to take on the form of a human. |
| 1 Timothy 1:17: To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. | Both passages refer to God's nature as invisible. Colossians 1:15 states that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, implying that He is the visible representation of the otherwise unseen God. 1 Timothy 1:17 further emphasizes this point by declaring that God is the King of the ages, immortal, and invisible, and that He should be honored and glorified. |
| Hebrews 1:3: He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, | Both passages refer to the same individual, Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:15 emphasizes Jesus' preeminence, as He is the firstborn of all creation and the image of the invisible God. Hebrews 1:3 further expands on this by describing Jesus as the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature. It also mentions that Jesus made purification for sins, and is now seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. We praise You for revealing Yourself to us through the Word, who became flesh and dwelt among us. We are in awe of Your great love and mercy, that You have predestined us to be conformed to the image of Your Son and have given us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Help us to remember that Jesus is the exact imprint of Your nature and that He upholds the universe by the word of His power. We exalt You, the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, and we offer You honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.