Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Colossians 1:16

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Next he proceeds to the doctrine itself. For that they may not think Him to be of more recent existence, because that in former times the approach was through Angels, but now through Him; he shows first, that they had no power (for else it had not been "out of darkness" that he brought), next, that He is also before them. And he uses as a proof of His being before them, this; that they were created by him. "For in Him," he saith, "were all things created." What say here the followers of Paul of Samosata? …

Homily on Colossians 3 ↗

Athanasius of Alexandria

But the sentiment of Truth in this matter must not be hidden, but must have high utterance. For the Word of God was not made for us, but rather we for Him, and `in Him all things were created.' Nor for that we were weak, was He strong and made by the Father alone, that He might frame us by means of Him as an instrument; perish the thought! it is not so. For though it had seemed good to God not to make things originate, still had the Word been no less with God, and the Father in Him. …

Discourses Against the Arians 2.31 ↗

Cyril of Jerusalem

Christ then is the Only-begotten Son of God, and Maker of the world. For He was in the world, and the world was made by Him; and He came unto His own, as the Gospel teaches us. And not only of the things which are seen, but also of the things which are not seen, is Christ the Maker at the Father's bidding. …

Catechetical Lecture 11:24 ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

Before Abraham, I am, He Himself said: the Gospel speaks: hear, or read. But it is hardly sufficient, before Abraham creator: before Adam creator, creator before heaven and earth, before all Angels and the whole spiritual creation, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, and Powers, before all things creator. Because in the beginning, the Word was not made, but was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God: this was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him.

Sermon 290 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

"Thou hast," it is said, "made them all in wisdom." Do we here understand that Wisdom was without a share in the things that were made? But "all things were made by Him." And David says: "By the Word of the Lord were the heavens established." So, then, he himself who calls the Son of God the maker even of heavenly things, has also plainly said that all things were made in the Son, that in the renewal of His works He might by no means separate the Son from the Father, but unite Him to the Father. …

On the Holy Spirit, Book 3, Chapter 12.83-84 ↗

Jerome

[Daniel 7:9] "I beheld until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of days took His seat. His garment was as white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was composed of fiery flames and its wheels were set on fire. From before His presence there issued forth a rushing, fiery stream." We read something similar in John's Apocalypse: "After these things I was immediately in the Spirit, and lo, a throne was set up in heaven, and one was seated upon the throne; and He who sat upon it had the likeness of jasper …

St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER SEVEN ↗