relationship to Christology. The thorough integration of its theology makes it difficult to dissect neatly, but we may note these eight interconnected features: 1. Christ and Creation. The most striking feature of the ‘hymn’ in 1:15–20 is the role it accords to Christ in the creation of the universe. To describe him as ‘first-born of all creation’ (1:15) might signify merely some precedence or priority over the rest of creation: ‘first-born’ could connote temporal priority or (metaphorically) superiority