Link to F.F.Bruce’s article  The “Christ Hymn”of Colossians 1:15-20

The First Strophe (1:15-16)

F.F. Bruce 1910-1990

He who is the image of the invisible God,
Firstborn before all creation,
because in Him all things were created —
things in heaven and things on earth,
things visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions,
whether principalities or powers —
they have all been created through Him and for Him

The Transitional Link (1:17-18a)

He indeed is before all things,
and they all cohere in Him;
He is also the head of the body, the church

The Second Strophe (1:18b-20)

He is the beginning,
Firstborn from the dead,
that He might be preeminent in all things,
because in Him it was decreed that all the fullness should
take up residence
and that through Him, [God] should reconcile all things
to Himself,
having made peace through the blood of His cross — [through
Him], whether those on earth or those in heaven

(F.F. Bruce’s translation).

Miriam Webster’s Definition of STROPHE

1—a : a rhythmic system composed of two or more lines repeated as a unit; especially : such a unit recurring in a series of strophic units
b : stanza
2—a : the movement of the classical Greek chorus while turning from one side to the other of the orchestra
b : the part of a Greek choral ode sung during the strophe of the dance