What does 'consist' mean in Colossians 1:17?
In Colossians 1:17, 'consist' means held together. The verse teaches that all things are held together by Him, the Son. Creation does not explode into nuclear fission or split apart because God the Son controls every particle by the power of His Word.
Les explains that Colossians 1:17 follows the statement that the Son is before all things and is the creator of all things. The word 'consist' means held together. Les illustrates this by asking why the universe does not explode in nuclear fission, and why the planets do not act like an atom and split one another into tremendous energy and explosion. He says he thinks someday they will, but tonight they do not because God the Son controls every particle of it with His Word, with the power of His Word.
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
More Questions
What does it mean that all things consist in Christ?
By Him all things consist, and 'consist' means 'held together.'