This provides a clear framework into which the hymn referenced in v15-20 fits nicely as it roots salvation in the pre-existent plan of God enacted in Christ and frames the work of God in unshakable terms. Since the hymn provides little in the way of instructing a believer how to be saved, it is a well positioned passage in an argument reinforcing^[58] an assurance of salvation from God as the 1:21 to 2:4 passage relies on.

Finally, before we begin to discuss the content of the Colossian hymn we must first determine whether in fact this section is a pre-existing hymnic passage. While consensus does lean heavily to that conclusion^[59] there are reasons to at least pause to reflect on what this conclusion implies. Sumney argues that “hymn” is too specific a term, pointing to the fact the rhythm and meter^[60] do not justify the classification, he nonetheless recognizes the passages poetry. Further it is of some note that the passage fits very nicely, for some, perhaps too smoothly, into the flow of the letters argument^[61]. While this could be used to argue the letter is an original creation of the author, the skill necessary to craft such a passage would just as easily be accounted for in the skill with which the passage is incorporated in to the letter. In fact, we must accept that the author’s skill has been applied to the original passage as evidenced both in the fact that the opening line “who is…” indicates that in its original from the passage did not start here^[62] and in the insertion of what appears to be a connective strophe between the two original sections^[63]. As Bruce points out, “Certainly one cannot recognize here the established forms of either Hebrew or Greek poetry. What is here is rhythmical prose, but it is rhythmical prose with a strophic arrangement such as is found in much early Christian hymnody^[64].” It is appropriate then to conclude that passage is indeed sourced from pre-existing materials. However, it is beyond the plausible to attempt to repristinate the original form^[65] of the passage. In fact such attempts have reached passed the speculative and into the absurd^[66].