What Does Colossians 1:16 Mean in the King James?

For by him 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: all things were created by him, and for him:
Colossians 1:16 · KJV
The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

The powers that seem to rule reality are themselves created things, held within a world whose source and destination are the Son.

The whole created order is in him, comes through him, and is directed toward him; even thrones and powers belong inside that order. Your present world, visible and invisible, is not self-originating or self-final: its source and direction are held in the Son.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie that any throne, dominion, or power is self-originating and ultimate dissolves here: every rank is among the things created through him and for him.

κτίζω

ktizō

GROWS FROM

κτιζ-

ktiz-

To create, establish, or bring into being.

The same ⁨κτιζ-⁩ seed names both the act of creating and the created thing: the thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers belong to the creaturely order. Creation is located in him, comes through him, and is directed toward him, so no visible or invisible authority has a source or end of its own.

ALSO GROWS

ktisis: Creation; the act or order of creating.

κτίσις

It names the whole created order that includes every rank and power listed in the verse.

ktisma: A created thing or creature.

κτίσμα

It makes clear that even the powers that appear to govern are creatures within the order, not powers outside it.

All creation is held in a single movement: from its source, through its mediator, and toward its end.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:3 · KJVThe Word stands in relation to every made thing, with nothing created outside that relation.
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Romans 11:36 · KJVThe verse states the same threefold movement: all things come from God, pass through God, and return toward God.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 4:11 · KJVAll things are created by the Lord and exist toward his pleasure.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 4:11 · KJV

The verb ⁨κτίζω⁩ (ktizō), meaning “create,” appears in both verses. Revelation makes the direction explicit: all things were created for the Lord’s pleasure, echoing Colossians’ claim that all things are created for him.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us

Colossians 1:16 KJV Meaning