| 1. Jesus Christ is preeminent over all creation, Lord over all human rulers and cosmic powers. | 1:15–20; 2:9–10; 3:1 |
| 2. God has worked through Christ to secure redemption and reconciliation for all who put their faith in him. | 1:13–14, 20–22 |
| 3. Believers are in Christ and thus participate in a relationship of solidarity with Christ in his death on the cross, his resurrection from the dead, his new life, and his fullness. | 2:9–14; 3:1–4 |
| 4. Christ has defeated the powers of darkness on the cross, and Christians share in his power and authority over that realm. | 2:10, 15; see also 2:8, 20 |
| 5. Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish expectation, and Christians now share in the heritage of the old covenant people of God through their union with him. | 1:12, 21–22, 27 |
| 6. Believers are called to grow in maturity in Christ by getting rid of sinful practices and cultivating Christian virtues. | 1:10–12, 28; 3:1–4:6 |