Colossians 1:17 nasb — He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

NASB

"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

— Colossians 1:17, NASB

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Colossians 1:17 in Other Translations

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Colossians 1 — Context

14

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

16

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.

17

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

18

He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

19

For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

20

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Colossians 1:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Colossians 1:17 say?
Colossians 1:17 in the NASB reads: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
Where is Colossians 1:17 in the Bible?
Colossians 1:17 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Colossians, chapter 1, verse 17.
Who wrote Colossians?
Colossians is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle (from prison). It was written c. AD 60–62.
What is the book of Colossians about?
To a church tempted by a Christ-plus-other-wisdom error, Paul writes one of Scripture's loftiest portraits of Jesus: "by him all things consist." In Christ is all the fullness of deity — and complete sufficiency for the believer. Practical instructions for new-creation living follow.
What are the major themes of Colossians?
Colossians explores themes including Supremacy of Christ, Fullness in Christ, New Life, Family, Prayer. These themes shape the meaning and context of Colossians 1:17.
What translation should I read Colossians 1:17 in?
Colossians 1:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Colossians 1:17?
Colossians 1:17 reads (NASB): “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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