1:16 for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him – all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, 2 whether principalities or powers – all things were created through him and for him.
1:1 From Paul, 3 an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
1 tn BDAG 138 s.v. ἀρχή 6 takes this term as a reference to angelic or transcendent powers (as opposed to merely human rulers). To clarify this, the adjective “heavenly” has been supplied in the translation. Some interpreters see this as a reference to fallen angels or demonic powers, and this view is reflected in some recent translations (NIV, NLT).
2 tn BDAG 579 s.v. κυριότης 3 suggests “bearers of the ruling powers, dominions” here.
3 tn Grk “Paul.” The word “from” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the sender of the letter.
4 tn On this word here and in 4:1, see the note on “fellow slave” in 1:7.
5 tn The prepositional phrase κατὰ σάρκα (kata sarka) does not necessarily qualify the masters as earthly or human (as opposed to the Master in heaven, the Lord), but could also refer to the sphere in which “the service-relation holds true.” See BDAG 577 s.v. κύριος 1.b.