Jesus is the image of the invisible God because He is the visible manifestation of the invisible triune God—God the Son stepped out of the Godhead and took on flesh.
Colossians 1:15 calls the Son "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." Les Feldick explains that the triune God is invisible Spirit, and the Son is His visible manifestation. In the Old Testament that visibility was temporary; in the New Testament the Son took on human flesh at Bethlehem and became visible, tangible, and touchable (Clips 2, 4, 5).
Colossians 1:15 — This is the key verse that directly answers the question—it explicitly calls the Son "the image of the invisible God."
Colossians 1:16 — It immediately connects Jesus' identity as the image to His work as Creator of all things visible and invisible.
Hebrews 1:3 — It confirms the same truth, calling the Son the "express image" of God's person.
Colossians 1:15 describes the Son as "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." The same passage goes on to say that by Him all things were 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). Colossians 1:17-18 adds that "he is before all things, and by him all things consist," and that "he is the head of the body, the church." Hebrews 1:3 echoes the thought, calling the Son "the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person," who upholds all things by the word of His power.
Les teaches that the invisible God is the triune Godhead—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit—who is Spirit and was invisible. Out of that invisible Trinity, one Person, God the Son, stepped out and became the visible manifestation of the whole (Clips 1, 4, 5, 6). Les explains that "image" means a visible manifestation. In the Old Testament economy the Son became visible temporarily and then would disappear; in the New Testament He became visible, tangible, and touchable, living in the flesh by virtue of Bethlehem (Clips 2, 4, 5). This is the same God as in Genesis, now manifested in human flesh (Clip 6). Les also stresses that this visible Son is the Creator and sustainer of the universe. By Him all things were created—thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers—and even Satan himself is a created being created by God the Son (Clips 1, 3, 6).
An image is a visible manifestation of something. Scripture calls God "the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15), while Les explains that the triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit—is Spirit and was invisible. Out of that invisible Godhead, one Person, the Son, stepped out and became the visible manifestation of the whole. In the Old Testament economy He appeared temporarily and then would disappear; in the New Testament He became visible, tangible, and touchable, living in the flesh by virtue of Bethlehem (Clips 2, 4, 5, 6).
Yes. Colossians 1:15 calls the Son "the firstborn of every creature," and Les says this means He is before anything else has ever been—He was there first (Clips 2, 3). Verse 16 immediately gives the reason: "For by him were all things created... all things were created by him, and for him." Les emphasizes that this includes thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, and that every power ever exercised was created by God the Son—even Satan is a created being (Clips 1, 6).
The Colossians passage moves from redemption to the image to creation and then to the church. Verse 14 says, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins"; verse 18 says, "And he is the head of the body, the church." Les pictures Christ as the Head of the Body, the One who loves the Church and gave Himself for it, and who cleanses it with the Word so that He might present it to Himself glorious, holy, and without blemish (Clips 0, 2).
Les teaches that Christ is the same God in Colossians as in Genesis; the only difference is that He has now taken on human flesh and human appearance (Clip 6). Hebrews 1:3 likewise calls Him "the express image of his person" and says He upholds all things by the word of His power (Clip 3). So the visible image is the Son of God Himself made visible.
The Head of the Body and His Cleansing Work
Les shows that the visible image of God is also the head of His body, the Church, who gave Himself for the Church and cleanses her through the Word.
The Image and the Creator
Les explains that the triune God is invisible and the Son is His visible image, then ties Colossians 1:16 to Genesis 1, showing that by God the Son all things—including Satan—were created.
Stepping Out of the Invisible Godhead
Les walks through Colossians 1:14-16 and clarifies that God the Son stepped out of the invisible Trinity, took on flesh, and became the visible appearance of the invisible God.
Firstborn, Creator, Sustainer
Les explains "firstborn" as being first of everything created—He was there first—and says by Him all things were created and He holds the universe together, connecting to Hebrews 1:3.
Image = Visible Manifestation
Les defines "image" as a visible manifestation and emphasizes that by faith we accept that the triune God is invisible and Christ is that visible manifestation.
Visible, Tangible Evidence
Les shows that the Son is the visible, tangible evidence of the invisible God, appearing temporarily in the Old Testament and permanently in human flesh at Bethlehem.
The Same God as Genesis
Les says God the Son stepped out of the invisible Godhead and became the visible manifestation, the Lord Jesus of Nazareth, and that He is the Creator of all things—the same God as in Genesis now in human flesh.
The Invisible Self and the Image
Les illustrates that although man is outwardly visible, his real self is invisible—just as God is invisible Spirit—which is a supplementary way of thinking about what it means for an invisible God to have an image.
Colossians 1:14: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
This verse immediately before the image statement establishes redemption through Christ's blood and forgiveness of sins, which is part of who the image is.
Colossians 1:15: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
The foundational verse answering the question—it explicitly names the Son as the image of the invisible God.
Colossians 1:16: 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:
Explains why the image of the invisible God is also the Creator of all things visible and invisible.
Colossians 1:17: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Stresses the Son's pre-existence and sustaining work.
Colossians 1:18: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Shows the image is also the head of the church.
Hebrews 1:3: 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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Confirms Jesus is the express image of God's person and upholds all things by His power.
According to Colossians 1:15, Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God. Les explains that "image" means a visible manifestation, so Christ is the visible manifestation of God, who is invisible Spirit (Clips 2, 4).
Les teaches that one Person of the invisible triune Godhead, God the Son, stepped out of that invisibility. In the Old Testament He appeared temporarily; in the New Testament He took on human flesh through Bethlehem and became visible, tangible, and touchable (Clips 2, 5).
Yes. Colossians 1:16 says by Him were all things created, visible and invisible, thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, and that all things were created by Him and for Him. Les emphasizes that Christ is the Creator and sustainer of the universe and that even Satan is a created being (Clips 1, 3, 6).
Les explains that this does not mean Jesus was created. Rather, He was there first—before anything else has ever been. He is the first, the pre-eminent One, and by Him all things were created and consist (Clips 2, 3).
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