84. Paul, too, says: “For in Him
were all things created in the heavens and in the earth, visible and
invisible.” Col. i. 16. Does he,
then, when he says, “in Him,” deny that they were made
through Him? Certainly he did not deny but affirmed it. And
further he says in another place: “One Lord Jesus, through
Whom are all things.” 1 Cor. viii. 6. In
saying, then, “through Him,” has he denied that all things
were made in Him, through Whom he says that all things exist?
These words, “in Him” and “with Him,” have this
force, that by them is understood one and like in all respects, not
contrary. Which he also made clear farther on, saying:
“All things have been created through Him and in
Him;” Col. i. 16. for, as we
said above, Scripture witnesses that these three expressions,
“with Him,” and “through Him,” and “in
Him,” are equivalent in Christ. Bk. II. 8, 9. For you read that all things were
made through Him and in Him.