15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1: 15-20
In everything, Jesus Christ is preeminent. But what is preeminence and how does this help us understand Paul’s intent to help us clearly view our Lord as being preeminent?
Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians to address the exaltation of human philosophies over the unequalled greatness of the Lord. These philosophies, which later became known as Gnosticism, bring Jesus down to human proportions and teach that a secret higher knowledge is needed for enlightenment and salvation. Epaphras was deeply troubled and made the long journey from Colossae to Rome where Paul was incarcerated. Paul wrote this letter from his prison cell to warn the Colossians against this heresy they faced.
When someone is described as preeminent, that is to say that they are supreme, surpassing all others, outstanding in position or quality. In all created things, Jesus is preeminent, and not just among men but all creation, for all time and eternity. Jesus is God and was there in eternity past before everything was created. All creation was created through Him, by Him and for Him. There is no earthly or spiritual force greater than He. There is no one or thing that is greater, more powerful, loving, gracious, capable or beautiful than He is. Satan and all his demon hordes cannot compare to Jesus. He created them and He is greater than the sum of them all. He is preeminent in the past, He is preeminent in the present and He is preeminent in the future.
Past “He is the firstborn of all creation” (v. 15)
The Greek for firstborn can indicate the person was born first chronologically but it more often pertains to preeminence in rank or position. It would be wrong to think Paul is using this phrase to say that Jesus was created or had an origin. Rather, firstborn in this context clearly reveals the supremacy of God’s Son and his right of inheritance over all creation (cf. Psalm 89:27; Hebrews 1:2; Revelation 5:1-5).
Present “…and in him all things hold together” (v. 17)
Jesus continually holds all things together, sustaining His creation, preventing it from falling into chaos or disintegrating (cf. Hebrews 1:3).
Future “He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” (v. 18)
Christ was the first to be resurrected, chronologically, from the dead never to die again. And of all the people that will ever be raised from the dead into the resurrection of life, Christ is the greatest and foremost, seated at right-hand of the Almighty (cf. Philippians 2: 8-11)
The Church “And he is the head of the body, the church.” (v. 18)
Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:12 used the metaphor that just as one human body has many members, so it is with Christ. Here, Paul further writes that Christ serves as the head of the body. Just as the body is controlled by the brain, so Christ, as the Head, has leadership and provides nourishment for every part of the church (cf. Ephesians 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 2:19).
His preeminence stretches throughout all time, from eternity past to eternity future. Jesus, as the first fruits of the new creation through his resurrection from the dead, is the first of many to be resurrected, never to die again (1 Corinthians 12:20 ff.). He is above all, greater than all and first in all. He is supreme over all earthly power, all governments, all spiritual powers. There is no one more beautiful, more significant, more wonderful than he. Turn and worship Jesus because he created it all for himself; and through him, the reconciliation of all the universe is accomplished through his atoning death and resurrection to life.
Do you believe that Jesus is preeminent? Many people who profess Jesus as Lord believe that he is preeminent. Allow me to ask a more piercing question. Are you living your life around the reality that Jesus Christ is preeminent and are you shaping your life around this truth?
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 6: 46-49
