Is he before all things?

I. Overview of the Question

The question, “Is He before all things?” arises directly from passages such as Colossians 1:17: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” This inquiry explores whether Jesus Christ existed prior to all creation and continues to affirm His eternal nature. Throughout Scripture, the consistent witness is that He is indeed preeminent and uncreated, and this truth forms a cornerstone of Christian theology.

II. Scriptural Foundations

1. Colossians 1:16–17:

“For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… All things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

These verses emphasize that Jesus not only existed before creation, but that all created entities depend on Him for their existence.

2. John 1:1:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

This passage reveals His eternal nature, existing from the very beginning. The following verses (John 1:2–3) further clarify that there is no created thing that came into being apart from Him.

3. John 8:58:

“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

This statement identifies Him as the “I AM,” indicating timeless existence and echoing the Old Testament revelation of God’s eternal name (cf. Exodus 3:14).

III. Old Testament Shadows

While the Old Testament often focuses on Yahweh, it provides glimpses of the preexistent Messiah:

1. Micah 5:2 highlights that the promised ruler originates “from of old, from the days of eternity.”

2. Proverbs 8:22–23 poetically personifies wisdom as preexistent. Early interpreters connected this wisdom motif with the divine Word, further insinuating the eternal preexistence of God’s ultimate revelation in Christ.

IV. Theological and Philosophical Implications

1. Eternal Unity of the Godhead: The assertion that Christ is “before all things” aligns with the oneness of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as co-eternal persons. This counters any notion that Jesus is merely a created being.

2. Foundation for Redemption: Having no beginning, Christ stands outside creation’s limitations, making His sacrifice sufficient for all. As 1 John 2:2 states, “He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

3. Purpose of Life and Worship: Recognizing Christ’s eternal nature reorients life around glorifying Him. As He is Creator and Sustainer, human identity and purpose find their ultimate anchor in Him (cf. Philippians 2:9–11).

V. Christ’s Relationship to All Creation

1. Creator and Sustainer: Colossians 1:16–17 teaches not only an initial act of creation but a continuous holding together. This implies scientific regularity itself depends on His active will.

2. Young Earth Context: Genealogies in Genesis, often traced meticulously in the chronology of Archbishop James Ussher, indicate a relatively recent creation. Passages like Genesis 5 and 11 detail lineages from Adam to Abraham, suggesting a historical timeline that supports the belief in a young earth.

3. Intelligent Design Evidence: Modern research in fields such as molecular biology and information theory demonstrates complex, specified information in DNA—pointing to an intelligent cause rather than undirected processes. This aligns with Scripture’s portrayal of a deliberate Creator who stood “before all things” (Colossians 1:17).

VI. Manuscript and Archaeological Support

1. Consistency of Biblical Witness: Ancient manuscripts, including early papyri and codices like Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, testify to the reliability of New Testament claims about Christ’s deity. Their textual uniformity, even across thousands of fragments, reinforces the view that “He is before all things” has been consistently transmitted.

2. Archaeological Corroborations: Discoveries such as the Dead Sea Scrolls demonstrate the transmission accuracy of Old Testament passages that foreshadow the Messiah’s eternal stature. Moreover, alignments between biblical geography and archaeological sites (e.g., the city of David, the Pool of Bethesda) support the plausibility of the New Testament setting for these profound theological claims.

3. Extra-Biblical Records: Early historians such as Josephus and Tacitus indirectly support key events in Jesus’s life. Though these sources do not expand on His eternal nature, they confirm the historical timing and existence of the man called Jesus, consistent with Scripture’s presentation of a real person who transcends the created order.

VII. Unity of Biblical Teaching

Biblical authors, writing across centuries, converge on the truth that Jesus Christ existed before the world began. John’s Gospel starts with the eternal Word, and Paul explicitly states that Christ is preeminent over creation. This consistent testimony—upheld in meticulously preserved manuscripts—reveals a cohesive message about His deity.

VIII. Conclusion

When asked, “Is He before all things?” the consistent answer from Scripture (Colossians 1:17, John 1:1–3, John 8:58) is a resounding “Yes.” He exists outside of creation, timelessly upholding the universe. This reality proves vital for understanding His role as Creator, Redeemer, and the ultimate foundation of all that is.

His eternal preexistence provides the framework for humanity’s salvation, offered through His sacrificial work. It also inspires confidence in the biblical record, reinforced by manuscript evidence and archaeological findings. Acknowledging that He is before all things leads to awe, gratitude, and deepest reverence for the One in whom “all things hold together.”