And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
(John 8:58) 'And He Himself х Autos (G846): the great HE] is (implying essential being) before all things,' in time, as well as dignity. Therefore He is before even time - i:e., from eternity (cf. Colossians 1:15, note). The contrast is between the things created in time and the Creator Himself, before all time.
By him - Greek, 'IN HIM,' as the causal element of their continuing existence (persistence), besides being the conditional element of their creation (Colossians 1:16) (Ellicott). Hebrews 1:3, "Upholding all things by the word of His power."
Consist, х sunesteeken (G4921)] - 'subsist" as one integral harmonized system or whole (Acts 17:28). The Son of God is the Conserver, as well as the Creator, of all things. Bengel, 'All things in Him come together into (and continue in) one system: the universe found (and retains) its completion in Him.'