the first-begotten of every creature) He was begotten ; and that, too, before the creation of all things. The vpb, which is contained in ^rpwroVoxoj, governs the genitive xriffsug. Time is an accident of the creature. Therefore the origin of the Son of God precedes all time.
16. "On, because) The second part of the 15th verse is here by explained.— I v, in) Iv <L denotes something prior to dia and e!g, which presently occur. There is here noticed the beginning, the progress, the end. The same is summarily repeated in the following verse. — avr&, by Him) He Himself, often used here, signifies His great majesty, and excludes every creature. - — sxrttffy, were created) It is evident from the enumeration which immediately follows, that the discussion here relates to that creation which is described, Gen. i. ; comp. ver. 23. — rd sv ro?$ ovpavoTs, those things that are in the heavens) and the heavens themselves. But those things which are in the heavens are rather named, because the inhabitants are more noble than their dwellings. — rd opara, the visible things) There follows by gradation, and invisible, of which the species are subjoined. [Since visible things, such as the sun, moon, stars, are named first, invisible things subsequently, in succession, it may not be unworthy of consideration, ivhether the visible things may not have been created during the period of the six days, and the in visible things on the seventh day ? Gen. ii. 1, 2 ; Exod. xxxi. 17.1 — V. g.] — S/TS Qpovoi f/rg %vpi6rrtrsg, whether thrones or dojninions) The former greater than the latter. The abstract for the con crete. — s/Vs ap^al s'/rs s^ovffiat, whether principalities or powers) The former stronger than the latter. Both of these two express an exercise of an office in respect of the creatures ; but thrones and dominions seem rather to have their appellation in their exalted relation to God, in so far as they are o^^ara, the chariots, on which He displays His majesty, Eph. i. 21.
217. "Ear/, He is) He does not say, He was made ; nor, He
1 The statement, that God rested on the seventh day from ALL His work, seems to oppose this notion ; and still more, Job xxxviii. 7, and other passages, which recognise angels as existing at the time of the earth's creation. Per haps Beng. means invisible things, strictly, not invisible beings. — ED.
2 Ets OCVTOV, to Him) All things are referred to Him Himself. Not any thing was made without Him, John i. 3.— E. B.