The word preeminence means “surpassing all others in authority, power, and status.” This could be said of the Lord Jesus Christ, with whom there is no equal and no rival. The theme of the apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians is the “Preeminence of Christ.”
The context for this subject is found in the very first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossian Church: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace through the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:15-20). Note, “in everything Christ might be preeminent.”
Paul argues that Jesus Christ “is the image of the invisible God.” Since “God is Spirit” (John 4:24), He is invisible. However, in the Person of His Son Jesus Christ, God is made visible to us. Jesus said “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). In other words, Jesus is God’s “representative” to mankind. Secondly, Christ is also “the firstborn of all creation.” As used of our Lord Jesus, this term refers to ‘priority of position’ rather than of origin. This meaning is clear in Psalm 89:27 where we read “And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.” Therefore, Christ, as God’s ‘Eternal Son’, holds the “position of priority” in relation to all creation, in that He was before all things (v.17), He created all things (v.16), and by Him all things hold together V.17). The Lord Jesus is exalted as the Head of His body, the Church. This is indeed a very precious truth for believers.
In studying verse 15 of Colossians 1, Dr Charles Stanley makes a very insightful observation. He says, “False teachers, pagans, and cults always attempt to undermine who Jesus is. The Gnostic heresy asserted that everything physical is evil and that the Lord would not take on human body. Another heretical doctrine held that Jesus was just one of the Lord’s representatives. However, to have faith in Jesus Christ is to believe that He is God incarnate (John 1:1; 10:30; 14:9) and that the only way to be saved is through faith in Him (Eph. 2:8, 9; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5)” (Life Principles Bible, p. 1438).Jesus himselfsaid: “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).
Paul continues, “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“ (v. 16). This tells us that creation of our entire vast universe was done “by,” “through,” and “for” Jesus Christ. It implies that the power to create all things was solely His responsibility. He needed no assistance. Then, through Him all things were created, meaning that the deed could only be performed through Him. And finally, for Him was the intent of creation. Isn’t this wonderful, especially when we pause to consider the honor, power and authority of our Lord Jesus.
Where the Scripture says [Christ] “is head of the body” means that Christ is Head of the Church. Paul points that out in Ephesians 1:23 that “Christ is the head of the church, his body,” the Church being all who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior. The Church is also subject to the governance of Christ and represents Him here on earth. “The dominion of the Lord Jesus not only covers the natural universe, but it also extends to the spiritual realm. He is the head of the body, the church. All believers in the Lord Jesus during this dispensation are formed into what is known as the body of Christ, or the church. Just as a human body is a vehicle by which the person expresses himself, so the Body of Christ is that vehicle which He has on earth by which He chooses to express Himself to the world. And He is the head of that body. The head speaks of guidance, dictation, control. He occupies the place of preeminence in the church” (William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1994). With these divine truths before us, what kind of Christians we ought to be? The Lord Jesus Christ occupies a place of preeminence in the Church. Shouldn’t He also occupy a place of preeminence in our personal lives as well?
“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace through the blood of his cross” (verses 19,20). Verses 19 and 20 can be considered one verse. It is understood that all the perfections, wisdom, glory, and attributes of God abide in Christ Jesus. God the Father was in Christ (John 17:21-23). And God the Holy Spirit was His in full measure (Isaiah 42:1; John 3:34).
In the past, mankind was alienated from God’s presence because of sin. However, God sought to restore man’s fellowship to Himself. This meant ”reconciliation” had to take place. Reconciliation means ending the estrangement caused by Adam’s sin between holy God and unholy man. In other words, restoring man to a right relationship with God. Note, it is not God who is to be reconciled to man. It is man who needs to be reconciled to God. Through the death and shed blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross, sinful man can now be reconciled to holy God. Had it not been for reconciliation, man would be doomed forever. Thank God for reaching down to man in love, mercy, and grace.