Colossians 1:17

He. Emphatic in the Greek, meaning, “He Himself.” Christ is contrasted with created beings.

Is. Gr. esti, a form of the verb eimi, “to be,” expressing, like en in John 1:1, continuity of existence (see comment there). “He is” may be compared with the expression “I am” (see on John. 6:20; 8:58).

Before. Both in time and rank. As the mind wings backward into eternity, there is no point before which Christ is not (see on John 1:1; see Additional Note on John 1).

By him. Rather, as in v. 16, “in Him.” Christ is the sphere within which everything consists.

Consist. Gr. sunistemi, literally, “to stand together,” “to hold together” or “to cohere.” The form of the verb in Greek stresses an original organization and a continued maintenance of the organization. The power that holds the far-flung orbs of the universe on their appointed courses with mathematical accuracy, the power that holds the particles of the atom in their predetermined orbits, is the same. By the power of Christ all things cohere. Not only did He bring them into being, He maintains them each moment.