What does Colossians 1:15-20 mean?

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

He calls Christ the image of the invisible God.

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

Not, as some suppose, that the nature of God is visible to some and invisible to others: for the apostle does not say the image of God invisible to men or invisible to sinners, but with unvarying constancy pronounces on the nature of God in these words: the image of the invisible God.

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

For He is the image of the invisible God, as the imperfection and frailty of the human condition was accustomed sometimes even then to see God the Father in the image of God, that is, in the Son of God.

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness

For He is the image of the invisible God, as the imperfection and frailty of the human condition was accustomed sometimes even then to see God the Father in the image of God, that is, in the Son of God.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

It is well for us that in another passage (the apostle) calls Christ the image of the invisible God.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

it is manifest that the Father is indeed invisible, of whom also the Lord said, “No man hath seen God at any time.” But His Word, as He Himself willed it, and for the benefit of those who beheld, did show the Father’s brightness, and explained His purposes (as also the Lord said: “The only-begotten God, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared [Him];” and He does Himself also interpret the Word of the Father as being rich and great);

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

Let us now see how we are to understand the expression "invisible image," so that in this way we may perceive how God is rightly called the Father of His Son. And let us, first of all, draw our conclusions from what are commonly called images among men. Sometimes that is called an image which is painted or sculptured on some material substance, such as wood or stone. And sometimes a child is called the image of his parent, when the features of the child in no respect fail to show their resemblance to the father. I think, therefore, that the man who was formed after the image and likeness of God may fittingly be compared to the first illustration. Respecting him, however, we shall see more precisely, God willing, when we come to explain the passage in Genesis. But the image of the Son of God, of whom we are now speaking, may be compared to the second of the above examples, even in this respect: that He is the invisible image of the invisible God, in the same manner as we say, according to the sacred history, that the image of Adam is his son Seth. The words are, "And Adam begot Seth in his own likeness, and after his own image." Now this image contains the unity of nature and substa

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

Celsus does not notice the difference between what is "after the image of God" and what is "God's image." So he goes on to claim that the first-born of every creature is the image of God—the very Word and truth, and also wisdom itself, being the image of His goodness—while man has been created after the image of God. Moreover, every man whose head is Christ is the image and glory of God. But Celsus also does not notice which part of human nature the phrase "after the image of God" refers to. It belongs to a nature that never had, or no longer has, the old man with his deeds, and is called after the image of Him who created it because it does not possess these qualities. Yet he says, "Neither did He make man His image; for God is not such an one, nor like any other kind of visible being." Is it possible to suppose that what is after the image of God exists in the inferior part of a compound being like man—I mean the body—because Celsus has explained being made after the image of God in that way? For if what is after the image of God is in the body only, then the better part, the soul, has been deprived of what is after His image, and this distinction exists in the corruptible body.

Colossians 1:15 Direct teaching

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

Hebrews 1:3 Supporting witness

who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

John 1:18 Supporting witness

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

2 Corinthians 4:4 Supporting witness

whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Direct teaching

Either, therefore, He is before every creature, that He may be the first-born of every creature, and He is not man only, because man is after every creature;

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

For Christ, being the first-born of every creature, became again the chief of another race regenerated by Himself through water, and faith, and wood, containing the mystery of the cross;

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Direct teaching

And if by the apostle Christ is called the first-born of every creature, how could He be the first-born of every creature, unless because according to His divinity the Word proceeded from the Father before every creature?

Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness

14. His dominion is an everlasting dominion. The Father, having put all things in subjection to His own Son, both things in heaven and things on earth, showed Him forth by all as the first-begotten of God, in order that, along with the Father, He might be approved the Son of God before angels, and be manifested as the Lord also of angels: (He showed Him forth also as) the first-begotten of a virgin, that He might be seen to be in Himself the Creator anew of the first-formed Adam, (and) as the first-begotten from the dead, that He might become Himself the first-fruits of our resurrection.

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Direct teaching

And if by the apostle Christ is called the first-born of every creature, how could He be the first-born of every creature, unless because according to His divinity the Word proceeded from the Father before every creature?

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

and therefore, the first-born of every creature, He becomes flesh and dwells in us, that is, assumes that man's nature which is after every creature, and so dwells with him and in him, in us, that neither is humanity taken away from Christ, nor His divinity denied?

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

Colossians 1:15 For will it not follow with equal force from that passage, that Christ is not truly God, because the apostle places Him in the image of God, if, (as Marcion contends,) He is not truly man because of His having taken on Him the form or image of a man?

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Direct teaching

...t also God, because He is the Son of God. And if Christ is called by the apostle "the first-born of every creature," how could He be the first-born of every creature unless, according to His divinity, the Word proceeded from the Father before every creature? And unless the heretics accept it this way, they will be forced to show that Christ the man was the first-born of every creature, which they will not be able to do. Either, therefore, He is before every creature, so that He may be the first-born of every creature, and He is not man only, because man is after every creature; or He is man only, and He is after every creature. And how is He the first-born of every creature, except because, being that Word who is before every creature, and therefore the first-born of every creature, He becomes flesh and dwells in us? That is, He takes on that man’s nature which is after every creature, and so dwells with it and in it, in us, so that neither is humanity taken away from Christ nor is His divinity denied. For if He is only before every creature, humanity is taken away from Him; but if He is only man, the divinity that is before every creature is injured. Both of these, therefore, a

Gregory Thaumaturgus, A Sectional Confession of Faith Supporting witness

...o treat the name of Son as a common name for servants, and who claim that for this reason He is the firstborn of creation, as one who, like the creature, came into being out of non-existence and was made first. These people refuse to admit that He is the only begotten Son, the only One the Father has. They do not accept that He gave Himself to be counted among mortals, and that in this way He is counted firstborn. Also included are those who limit the generation of the Son by the Father to some measured interval, in a human way, and refuse to acknowledge that the age of the One who begot and the age of the Begotten are without beginning. Also included are those who bring in three separate and different systems of divine worship, even though there is only one form of lawful service that we received long ago from the law and the prophets, and that was confirmed by the Lord and preached by the apostles. No less far from the true confession are those who do not hold the doctrine of the Trinity according to the truth as a relation of three persons, but wickedly think of it as meaning a threefold being in one unity, formed by combination. They think that the Son is wisdom in God in th

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to Colossians 1:15 Direct teaching

Do ye all come together in common, and individually, through grace, in one faith of God the Father, and of Jesus Christ His only-begotten Son, and "the first-born of every creature," but of the seed of David according to the flesh, being under the guidance of the Comforter, in obedience to the bishop and the presbytery with an undivided mind, breaking one and the same bread, which is the medicine of immortality, and the antidote which prevents us from dying, but a cleansing remedy driving away evil, [which causes] that we should live in God through Jesus Christ.

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness

If Christ was only man, how is it that He Himself says, “And everyone who believes in Me shall not die forevermore?” And yet he who believes in man by himself alone is called accursed. But he who believes in Christ is not accursed, and is said not to die forevermore. Therefore, if on the one hand He is only man, as the heretics want, how will anyone who believes in Him not die eternally, since he who trusts in man is held to be accursed? Or on the other hand, if he is not accursed, but rather, as it is read, is destined to attain everlasting life, Christ is not only man, but also God. In Him, he who believes both lays aside all risk of curse and attains the fruit of righteousness. If Christ was only man, how does He say that the Paraclete shall take of His, those things which He shall declare? For the Paraclete does not receive anything from man. Rather, the Paraclete offers knowledge to man. Nor does the Paraclete learn future things from man, but instructs man concerning the future. Therefore, either the Paraclete has not received from Christ, as man, what He should declare, since man could give nothing to the Paraclete, seeing that man himself ought to receive from Him, and Chri

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

...hth day when Christ appeared by rising from the dead, forever the first in power. Christ, being the firstborn of every creature, became the leader of a new human race, regenerated by Himself through water, faith, and wood, symbolizing the mystery of the cross; just as Noah was saved by wood when he floated over the waters with his family. So, when the prophet says, 'I saved you in the times of Noah,' as I've already mentioned, he is addressing those who are equally faithful to God and bear the same signs. For when Moses had the rod in his hands, he led your nation through the sea. And you believe this was spoken only to your nation or to the land. However, the entire earth, as Scripture states, was flooded, and the water rose fifteen cubits above all the mountains, making it clear that this was not spoken to the land, but to the people who obeyed Him: for whom He had prepared a resting place in Jerusalem, as previously shown by all the symbols of the flood; meaning that by water, faith, and wood, those who are prepared beforehand and repent of the sins they have committed will escape from the coming judgment of God."

Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Supporting witness

and He is before all things. Colossians 1:16-17

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

and into the Lord Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, the First-born of the whole creation, who before the ages was begotten by the good pleasure of the Father, by whom all things were made, both those in heaven and those on earth, visible and invisible;

Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Supporting witness

By whom also He made the worlds. But by Him also were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities, or powers;

Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Supporting witness

...nt, who hope in the same God, lest they should no longer fear God, who is over both. Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1 For he comes not to call according to outward appearance, but to those whom the Spirit has prepared. And you bondmen shall be subject to your masters as to a type of God, in modesty and fear. Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22 You shall hate all hypocrisy and everything that is not pleasing to the Lord. In no way forsake the commandments of the Lord, but keep what you have received, neither adding to it nor taking away from it. Deuteronomy 12:32 In the church you shall acknowledge your transgressions, and you shall not come near for your prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life.

Barnabas, Connection to Colossians 1:16 Supporting witness

Thou hast in this also [an indication of] the glory of Jesus; for in Him and to Him are all things.

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness

...ion, in agreement with the warning the blessed apostle gives us, when in the letter he wrote to the Colossians he says, "Continue in the faith, grounded and rooted, and do not be moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which we have heard, and which was preached to every creature under heaven." And again, "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him; rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead." And after all these matters had been carefully set forth, the blessed apostle, like a father speaking to his children, adds these words, which serve as a kind of seal to his testament: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who love His appearing."

Colossians 1:17 Direct teaching

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

He therefore manifestly declares that in Christ and through Christ were all things made and created, whether things visible, which are corporeal, or things invisible, which I regard as none other than incorporeal and spiritual powers.

Gregory Thaumaturgus, On the Trinity Direct teaching

This Word created heaven and earth, and in Him were all things made.

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Direct teaching

4. Seeing, then, that all things which have been created are said to have been made through Christ, and in Christ, as the Apostle Paul most clearly indicates, when he says, For in Him and by Him were all things created, whether things in heaven or things on earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or powers, or principalities, or dominions;

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book I Supporting witness

And they state that it was clearly on this account that Paul said, “And He Himself is all things;” and again, “All things are to Him, and of Him are all things;” and further, “In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead;” and yet again, “All things are gathered together by God in Christ.” Thus do they interpret these and any like passages to be found in Scripture.

Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus Supporting witness

First, they taught us with one consent that God made all things out of nothing. For nothing was coeval with God. But He, being His own place, wanting nothing, and existing before the ages, willed to make man, by whom He might be known. Therefore He prepared the world for him. For he that is created is also needy, but he that is uncreated stands in need of nothing. God, then, having His own Word internal within His own bowels, begot Him, emitting Him along with His own wisdom before all things. He had this Word as a helper in the things that were created by Him, and by Him He made all things. He is called the governing principle, because He rules and is Lord of all things fashioned by Him. He, then, being Spirit of God, and governing principle, and wisdom, and power of the Highest, came down upon the prophets, and through them spoke of the creation of the world and of all other things. For the prophets were not yet when the world came into existence, but the wisdom of God which was in Him, and His holy Word which was always present with Him. Therefore He speaks thus by the prophet Solomon: "When He prepared the heavens I was there, and when He appointed the foundations of the earth

Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness

And if you please, we say that the Word was the firstborn of God. He came down from heaven to the blessed Mary and was made a firstborn man in her womb, so that the firstborn of God might be revealed in union with a firstborn man.

Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter Supporting witness

...iew to its existence and continuance, as the Book of Wisdom also confirms, saying, "For God created all things that they might exist; and the generations of the world were healthful, and there is no poison of destruction in them." Wisdom 1:14 And Paul also clearly testifies to this, saying, "For the eager expectation of the creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it in hope. Because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." Romans 8:19-21 For the creation was made subject to vanity, he says, and he expects that it will be set free from such slavery, since he means this world when he uses the name creation. For it is not what is unseen, but what is seen, that is subject to corruption. Then, after the creation has been restored to a better and more fitting condition, it remains, rejoicing and exulting over the children of God at the resurrection. For their sake it now groans and labors in pain, while it also waits for our redemption from the corruption of the body, so that, when we have risen a

Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness

...ll things under His own Son, both things in heaven and things on earth. He showed Him to all as the firstborn of God, so that, together with the Father, He might be recognized as the Son of God before the angels, and also be revealed as the Lord of the angels. He also showed Him as the firstborn of a virgin, so that He might be seen in Himself as the Creator, making the first-formed Adam new again. And He showed Him as the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself might become the firstfruits of our resurrection.

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

...ether the apostle does not say the same thing when, speaking of Christ, he declares that He is "the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature." Not, as some suppose, that the nature of God is visible to some and invisible to others. For the apostle does not say, "the image of God invisible to men," or "invisible to sinners." Rather, he consistently declares the nature of God in these words: "the image of the invisible God." Moreover, John, in his Gospel, when asserting that no one has seen God at any time, clearly declares to all who are able to understand that there is no nature to which God is visible. Not as if He were visible by nature and merely escaped or baffled the sight of a frailer creature, but because by the nature of His being it is impossible for Him to be seen. And if you ask me what my opinion is regarding the Only-begotten Himself, whether the nature of God, which is naturally invisible, is not visible even to Him, do not let such a question seem to you at once either absurd or impious, because we shall give you a logical reason. It is one thing to see, and another to know. To see and to be seen are properties of bodies. To know and to be know

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to Colossians 1:16 Direct teaching

And, "By Him were all things created that are in heaven, and on earth, visible and invisible; and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist."

Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness

...sher of men, and in that net was what is figuratively called a fish, so that the coin with Caesar's image might also be taken from it, and so that it might take its place among those things caught by men who have learned to become fishers of men. Therefore, let the one who has the things of Caesar give them to Caesar, so that afterward he may be able to give to God the things of God. But since Jesus, who was the image of the invisible God, Colossians 1:15, did not have the image of Caesar, for the prince of this age had nothing in Him, John 14:31, for this reason He takes from its own place, the sea, the image of Caesar, so that He may give it to the kings of the earth for Himself and His disciple. He did this so that those who received the half-shekel might not think that Jesus was their debtor, or the debtor of the kings of the earth. For He paid the debt without having taken it up, possessed it, acquired it, or ever made it His own possession, so that the image of Caesar might never be together with the image of the invisible God.

Colossians 1:16 Direct teaching

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...ath to come, and was made from a virgin, and was in flesh, being God the Word, the beloved Son, the firstborn of the whole creation, and was, according to the prophecies foretold concerning Him by Himself, of the seed of David and Abraham, of the tribe of Judah. And He was formed in the womb of a virgin, He who formed all mankind who are born into the world. He took flesh, though He was without flesh. He who was begotten before time was born in time. He lived holily and taught according to the law. He drove away every sickness and every disease from men, and worked signs and wonders among the people. He shared in food, drink, and sleep, though He nourishes all who need food and fills every living creature with His goodness. He made His name known to those who did not know it, John 17:6, 4. He drove away ignorance, revived piety, and fulfilled Your will. He finished the work You gave Him to do. And when He had set all these things right, He was seized by the hands of the ungodly, by the high priests and priests falsely so called, and by the disobedient people, through the betrayal of him who was possessed by wickedness as by a confirmed disease. He suffered many things from them

Dionysius of Rome, Against the Sabellians Supporting witness

...at He was begotten, as is fitting and proper, but not that He was created or made. So it is not a small error, but a very great impiety, to say that the Lord was in any way made by hands. For if the Son was made, there was a time when He was not. But He always was, if, as He Himself declares, He is indeed in the Father. And if Christ is the Word, the Wisdom, and the Power, for the divine writings say that Christ is these, as you yourselves know, then surely these are powers of God. Therefore, if the Son was made, there was a time when these did not exist. And so there was a time when God was without these things, which is utterly absurd. But why should I speak to you at greater length about these matters, since you are men filled with the Spirit, and especially since you understand what absurd results follow from the opinion that says the Son was made? The leaders of this view seem to me to have paid very little attention to these things, and for that reason they have wandered completely off course by explaining the passage in a way other than what the divine and prophetic Scripture requires: "The Lord created me the beginning of His ways." For, as you know, the word "created" h

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

...im and be His disciple would receive the reward of being able to see the Father. For He also is the image of God the Father. So this point is added as well: as the Father works, so the Son also works. And the Son is an imitator of all the Father's works, so that anyone may regard it just as if he saw the Father when he sees Him who always imitates the invisible Father in all His works. But if Christ is the Father Himself, how does He immediately add and say, "Whoever believes in me, the works that I do he shall do also; and he shall do greater works than these, because I go to my Father"? And He goes on to say, "If you love me, keep my commandments; and I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter." After this He also adds, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him; and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him." Moreover, He also added this: "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send, He will teach you and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you." He also speaks that passage in which He shows Himself to be the Son, and rightly adds, "If you loved me, you would rejoice because I g

Gregory Thaumaturgus, Declaration of Faith Supporting witness

There is one God, the Father of the living Word, who is His personal Wisdom and Power and Eternal Image: the perfect Begetter of the perfect Begotten, the Father of the only-begotten Son. There is one Lord, the Only from the Only, God from God, the Image and Likeness of Deity, the effective Word, Wisdom containing the order of all things, and Power that formed the whole creation, the true Son of the true Father, Invisible from Invisible, Incorruptible from Incorruptible, Immortal from Immortal, and Eternal from Eternal. And there is one Holy Spirit, having His personal existence from God, and being made known by the Son, that is, to men: the Image of the Son, the perfect Image of the Perfect; Life, the Cause of the living; the Holy Fountain; Sanctity, the Supplier, or Leader, of sanctification. In Him, God the Father is made known, who is above all and in all, and God the Son, who is through all. There is a perfect Trinity, in glory and eternity and sovereignty, neither divided nor separated. Therefore there is nothing in the Trinity that is created or in servitude. Nor is there anything added later, as if at some earlier time it did not exist, and at some later time it was introdu

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

...th of the cross. Therefore also God has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, in the glory of God the Father"? "Who, although He was in the form of God," he says. If Christ had been only man, He would have been spoken of as being in the image of God, not in the form of God. For we know that man was made after the image or likeness of God, not after the form of God. Who then is that angel who, as we have said, was made in the form of God? But neither do we read of the form of God in angels, except because this one is chief and royal above all: the Son of God, the Word of God, the imitator of all His Father's works, since He Himself works just as His Father does. He is, as we have declared, in the form of God the Father. And He is rightly said to be in the form of God, since He Himself, being above all things, and having divine power over every creature, is also God after the example of the Father. Yet He obtained this from His own Father: that He should both be God of all and b

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness

...th of the cross. Therefore also God has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, in the glory of God the Father"? "Who, although He was in the form of God," he says. If Christ had been only man, He would have been spoken of as in the image of God, not in the form of God. For we know that man was made after the image or likeness, not after the form, of God. Who then is that angel who, as we have said, was made in the form of God? But neither do we read of the form of God in angels, except because this One is chief and royal above all: the Son of God, the Word of God, the imitator of all His Father's works, because He Himself works even as His Father does. He is, as we have declared, in the form of God the Father. And He is rightly affirmed to be in the form of God, because He Himself, being above all things, and having divine power over every creature, is also God after the example of the Father. Yet He obtained this from His own Father: that He should be both God of all and shoul

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

... Governor of all things, the All-powerful Being, the God and Father of the only begotten and of the firstborn of the whole creation. He is one God, the Father of one Son, not of many. By Christ, He is the Maker of one Comforter and the Maker of the other orders. By Christ, He is the one Creator of the different creatures, and by Him also their Preserver and Lawgiver. He is the cause of the resurrection, and of the judgment, and of the repayment that will be made by Him. We also say that this same Christ was pleased to become man, and lived without sin, and suffered, and rose from the dead, and returned to Him who sent Him. We also say that every creature of God is good, and that nothing is abominable. Everything that supports life, when it is received in a righteous way, is very good. For according to the Scripture, all things were very good, Genesis 1:31. We believe that lawful marriage and the begetting of children are honorable and undefiled, for the difference of the sexes was formed in Adam and Eve for the increase of mankind. We acknowledge that we have a soul that is incorporeal and immortal, not corruptible as bodies are, but immortal because it is rational and free. We

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

...He begot. Thus Christ Jesus, the Mediator of God and men, having from His own Father the power over every creature subjected to Him, since He is God, and with every creature subdued to Him, being found at one with God His Father, has, by continuing in that state in which He also was heard, briefly proved God His Father to be the one, only, and true God.

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness

...Father, He is indeed proved to be the Son of His Father, but He is found to be both Lord and God of everything else. Therefore, while all things placed under Him are handed over to Him who is God, and all things are subjected to Him, the Son refers all that He has received to the Father and gives back again to the Father the whole authority of His divinity. The true and eternal Father is shown to be the one God, from whom alone this power of divinity is sent out, and also given and directed to the Son, and then returned again to the Father by the communion of substance. God indeed is shown as the Son, to whom the divinity is seen to be given and extended. And yet, even so, the Father is proved to be one God, while by degrees, in mutual return, that majesty and divinity are again returned and reflected back by the Son Himself to the Father who had given them. So it is right that God the Father is God of all, and also the source of His Son Himself, whom He begot as Lord. Moreover, the Son is God of everything else, because God the Father set before all things Him whom He begot. Thus Christ Jesus, the Mediator of God and men, having from His own Father the power over every creature

Colossians 1:19 Direct teaching

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,

Colossians 2:9 Supporting witness

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

Colossians 1:20 Direct teaching

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Supporting witness

... our Lord rose from death and trampled it down, when He bound the strong man and set man free, then every creature wondered at the Judge who for Adam's sake was judged, at the invisible being seen, at the impassable suffering, at the immortal dead, at the celestial buried in the earth. For our Lord was made man. He was condemned that He might grant compassion. He was bound that He might set free. He was apprehended that He might liberate. He suffered that He might heal our afflictions. He died to restore life to us. He was buried to raise us up. For when our Lord suffered, His humanity suffered, that which He had like man. And He dissolves the sufferings of him who is His like, and by dying He has destroyed death. It was for this cause that He came down upon earth, that by pursuing death He might kill the rebel that slew men. For one underwent the judgment, and myriads were set free. One was buried, and myriads rose again. He is the Mediator between God and man. He is the resurrection and the salvation of all. He is the Guide of the erring, the Shepherd of men who have been set free, the life of the dead, the charioteer of the cherubim, the standard-bearer of the angels, and the

Methodius, Three Fragments on the Cross and Passion Supporting witness

...ed the powers of hell, and by the gift of God had been freed from every debt. Since, therefore, the firstborn Word of God so strengthened the manhood in which He dwelt with the armor of righteousness, He overcame, as has been said, the powers that enslaved us by the figure of the cross, and showed that man, who had been oppressed by corruption as by a tyrant's power, was free, with hands unfettered. For the cross, if you wish to define it, is the confirming sign of victory, the way by which God descended to man, the trophy against material spirits, the driving back of death, the foundation of the ascent to the true day, and the ladder for those who are hurrying to enjoy the light that is there. It is the engine by which those who are fit for the building of the Church are raised from below, like a four-square stone, to be joined to the divine Word. This is why our kings, seeing that the figure of the cross is used to drive away every evil, have made vexillas, as they are called in the Latin language. In the same way, the sea, yielding to this figure, makes itself navigable for men. For every creature, so to speak, has been marked with this sign for the sake of liberty. The birds