Colossians: Divine Portrait

Jesus is the divine portrait—the true likeness of the invisible God. The word portrait comes from the word icon, which in its original meaning referred to a representative image made of gold, silver, or other material. Think of a king’s face stamped on a coin: it wasn’t just decoration, it was a visible symbol of his authority and power. That image represented his rule throughout the kingdom, and those who saw it could see their leader’s likeness, even if they had never seen the king.

In the same way, Jesus is the divine icon—the visible expression of the Father. He is the God-man, the exact image of God “stamped” in human flesh. Through Him, we see what God is truly like. Jesus is not a mere reflection of God; He is God in the flesh.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be His representatives here on earth. Just as the coin carried the king’s likeness and authority, our lives are meant to reflect Jesus’ image and rule. When people see us, they should see Him and know we have His authority and power here on earth.

In this study, we’ll continue to break down each word and thought in this passage, uncovering a deeper understanding of who Jesus is—and what it means for us as His image-bearers.