In Colossians 1:16, what is the meaning of the phrase “in him” (ἐν αὐτῷ)?

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Sorry if this seems like a really simple question but this always confuses me. For example Colossians 1:16:

For it was in Him that all things were created.

Would it mean the same thing if the word ‘through’ or ‘by’ were to be used instead? The use of the word ‘in’ seems to me to show that the power to create all things came from within himself (and the authority given to him by the Father), whereas if ‘by’ was used that power would come from elsewhere. I don’t know. Am I over thinking this one word?