All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
All things were made by him - that is, "all things" in the most absolute sense; as the next clause is intended to make evident;
And without him was not any thing made that was made, х oude (G3761) hen (G1520) ho (G3739) gegonen (G1096)]. The statement is most emphatic 'without Him was not one thing made that hath been made.' To blunt the force of this, it is alleged that the word "by" х dia (G1223)] "by him" here means no more than 'through,' or by means of'-in the sense of subordinate instrumentality, not efficient agency. But this same preposition is once and a sin used in the New Testament of God's own efficient agency in the production of all things. Thus, Romans 11:36, "Of Him" х ex (G1537)] - as their eternal Source - "and through Him" х di' (G1223) autou (G846)] - by His efficient Agency - "and to Him" х eis (G1519)] - as their last End - "are all things." And in Colossians 1:16 the creation of all things-in the most absolute sense and in the way of efficient agency-is ascribed to Christ: "For by Him х en (G1722) autoo (G846)] were created all things" х ta (G3588) panta (G3956)] - that is, the entire universality of created things, as the all-comprehensive details that follow are intended to show - "whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him" х ta (G3588) panta (G3956) di' (G1223) autou (G846) kai (G2532) eis (G1519) auton (G846) ektistai (G2936)]. See also Hebrews 1:10-12, where creation, in the most absolute sense, is ascribed to Christ.