The Preeminence of Christ from Colossians - Part 1
Samantha Samuel
THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST
I found this information in my dad’s study Bible and thought it would make a good post. We will be discussing the preeminence of Christ in the book of Colossians.
First off, what does the word ‘preeminence’ mean? According to Merriam-Webster, it means having paramount rank, dignity, or importance. Other synonyms of the word are outstanding, superiority, and supremacy.
As believers, we know that Christ is superior to all because He is God. So why would Paul stress this in his letter to the Colossian church? During the time frame that this letter was written, the idea of Gnosticism had crept up in the church. This was a movement that tried to marginalize Christ within the church. It was a mix of Jewish and Greek teachings, as well as some mysticism that tried to teach that Christ wasn’t God. They thought that there was a secret that needed to be revealed to the people in order to be saved and that receiving Christ wasn’t enough. They also believed that Christ was an angel. This is a blatant attack against the Gospel! As such, Paul wrote to the believers in the Colossae to remind them of the preeminence of Christ. He is God, there is no question.
We’ll do a little bit more of a deep dive into Colossians to see Paul’s examples. The examples of Christ’s preeminence are broken down into 5 sections, which will then be separated into 4 different posts for the month of September.
Christ is Preeminent in Universal Government
Colossians 1:15 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
The word ‘image’ here can mean 2 things. It can mean ‘likeness’, such as the image on a coin or the reflection in a mirror. It can also mean ‘manifestation’, with the sense that God is fully revealed in Jesus.
Christ was before all created things and Christ is different than all created things
Colossians 1:16 - For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Christ is the author of all creation
By mentioning thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers, Paul is emphasizing that Christ ranks higher than all of them
Colossians 1:17 - And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Christ is the unifying principle and personal sustainer of all creation
Colossians 1:18 -And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.