Reading for June 19th

Read Colossians 1.15-23
In 1.15-23: A hymn to the universal Christ and comment on his redeeming work.
Christ, the cosmic agent of creation, has reconciled creation's warring elements (vv. 15-20), and the reconciled must remain faithful to their early teachings to ensure maturity (vv. 21.23).
In verses 15-20: The hymn's origin is unknown, but if not Christian it may be an adaption from a Greek mystery religion, a Jewish text about the Son of Man and the end times, or a Hellenistic Jewish wisdom text like pro 8.22-31 or Sir 24.1-22.
It easily divides into two: Christ as the agent of creation (vv. 15-18a) and Christ as an agent of redemption (vv. 18-20).
In verse 16: Christ's role in creation is like the role of Wisdom (see prov 8.22-26; Sir 24.9).
In verse 18: head of the body, see 2.19; Eph 1.22-23.
In verse 20: Reconcile, restore to friendship from enmity.
See 1.22; Rom 5.10; 1 Cor 7.11; 2 Cor 5.18-21; Eph 2.16.
A direct exhortation to the recipients: God has reconciled them and they will be blameless before God if they are steadfast.
In verse 21: Estranged, alienated or unfamiliar with something.
See Eph 2.12;4.18.
Comments or Questions..