***Re:I would suggest looking at the terminology. All things were made for and through Him. This does not identify Him as God. All this does is identify Him as powerful.
Please note that I believe that Jesus is Divine and the second Person of the Trinity; it is just that Paul does not specifically identify Him as God.
I beg to differ, Paul most certainly referred to Jesus as God. Several times when he even was first starting out in the ministry. He says:
Act 14:15
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:,
Also:
Act 17:24
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
I read from just these two verses that Paul says the true God created all things. If it is agreed that Jesus created ALL things, then Jesus must be God.***
But, these lines do not say that Jesus is God; they do not even infer it. Paul directs us to the living God; he does not say Jesus. I agree that Jesus is God; but it does NOT say that here.
I know you are just trying to make a point here MarkBsnr, but just a quick read through some writings of Paul, he almost takes for granted that those he is writing to understand the nature of Jesus Christ and that he and God the Father and Holy Ghost are one. Here are a few for you to look up (You can go to http://www.tgm.org/bible.htm for an easy way to see them in any version you desire):
Romans 8:9-11 "Spirit of God" and "Spirit of Christ" used interchangeably, meaning the same thing.
Romans 14:8-9 We are the Lord's, Christ is the Lord.
Romans 15:16 and Romans 15:19,29 - Actually many other places in Romans and throughout Paul's epistles, he uses "Gospel of God" and "Gospel of Christ" interchangeably.
I Corinthians 1:24 Christ is the "power of God" and the "wisdom of God".
II Cor. 4:3,4 Christ, who is the image of God.
II Cor. 4:6 Knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
II Cor. 5:19 Plainly says "God was in Christ."
II Cor. 13:14 Very plainly refers to the trinity -
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, [be] with you all. Amen.