The Preeminent One

In the United States, we show respect for the highest office by standing when our president enters the room. While there is no law requiring such a response, it has been our custom and protocol as a nation since the 1800s, if not from the days of President George Washington. Even if you did not vote for the president (or if you happen to dislike him greatly), standing is still the expected practice as a way to honor the office. In the same way, Jesus’ preeminence is to be recognized by us. However, He deserves much more than merely us standing in His presence. Since Jesus is in first place, He must be given first place. It’s for this reason that the Apostle Paul says of Christ in 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.” (NKJV)

Merriam-Webster defines preeminence as “the state of being superior, more important, or more distinguished than all others in a particular field, rank, or category”. According to Colossians 1:18, there are two reasons that Jesus is preeminent. The first reason is that Jesus is “the head of the body, the church”. In Scripture, the church is frequently called the body of Christ because this affects how we think of and treat other believers (see 1 Corinthians 12). But, here, Paul’s focus is not on the body of Christ; instead, he directs our attention to the head of the body, which is Christ Himself. This teaches us critical truths about Him. First, the church is united to Christ, just like the body is joined to its head. Second, the church is ruled by Christ, just like every system in the body must be directed by the head. And third, the church fully depends on Christ, just as a body cannot live or grow without its head. As the head of the church, we’re to know that Jesus is not dispensable or replaceable. He is everything. As our head, He cherishes and cares for us, He commands and directs us, and He is the source of all life and godliness within us. Therefore, where would we be without Jesus, our head? He is the most important in every category, because our most important need is for Him. 

The second reason for Jesus’ preeminence is this: He is “the beginning, the firstborn from the dead”. In this verse, Paul uses language similar to Colossians 1:15 (“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation”), but with a slightly different emphasis. Having previously said that Jesus preeminently reigns over the creation, Paul now says that Jesus preeminently reigns over the new creation, which is the church. As “the beginning”, He is the church’s founder and source of its existence. And “the firstborn from the dead” means He is first in rank among those who have been risen from the dead (see The Firstborn Over All Creation for the biblical use of firstborn). It’s because Jesus was the first to be given resurrection life, and because His resurrection was monumentally significant, that He has been given this exalted position of firstborn from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection is what makes Him the head of the church. We see this from Acts 2:32 and 36, where Peter proclaims at Pentecost, “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses…Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (NKJV) His resurrection is also what makes Him the beginning (or founder) of the church. In 1 Peter 1:3, we’re told “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (NKJV) Without Jesus being the firstborn from the dead, there would be no future resurrection for any of His disciples. All of this is to say that salvation is all about Jesus. He's the One we need if we are to know God and enjoy Him forever, because He's the beginning and firstborn from the dead. This is also what makes Him preeminent, Paul tells us. 

According to Colossians 1:18, why is Jesus “the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead”? It’s so that “in all things He may have the preeminence”. Because of who He is, Jesus is supreme and superior - the One who holds the highest rank and is of the greatest importance. This means that we are to treat Him accordingly by giving Him first place in our lives. This is the application to take from all of Colossians 1:15-18: Give Jesus first place in your faith by holding fast to Him alone for the forgiveness of your sins and for peace with God. Give Jesus first place in your daily living by prioritizing His will and His glory in all that you do, even at great cost to yourself. And give Jesus first place in your worship and ministry by making Him the sole object of your praise, the guide for your ministerial methods and manner, and the One you always put in the spotlight before others. As the head of the church, the beginning and firstborn from the dead, Jesus is not to have the preeminence in some things, but in all things. Let us give Him that honor by putting Him first in every area of life.