That He Might Have the Preeminence

I. THE BACKGROUND OF THE EPISTLE

A. The Location of the Penning (See Postscript)

1. Written from Rome
a. By Onesimus (Colossians 4:9; Philemon 1:10, 13, 18)
b. Likely at the same time as Ephesians (Ephesians Postscript), Philippians (Philippians Postscript), and Philemon (Philemon Postscript)
2. Written in bonds (Colossians 4:3, 18)

B. The Emphasis Demonstrated; This epistle seems to major on the treasures of and contained in the Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps no series of passages better identifies the theme than Colossians 2:3 and Colossians 2:4. The idea is that all treasures are hid in Christ, be sure not to let anyone beguile you from those things with enticing words.

1. Jesus Christ as the creator (Colossians 1:12-17)
2. Jesus Christ as the fulness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9-10)
3. Jesus Christ as the head of the church (Colossians 1:18)
4. Jesus Christ as the source of salvation (Colossians 1:19-22; Colossians 2:11-15)
5. Jesus Christ as knowledge and wisdom (Colossians 2:2-3)
6. Jesus Christ as the enabler and motive of a godly life (Colossians 3:1-25)
7. Jesus Christ as the hope of glory (Colossians 1:25-27)

II. THE CONTEXT OF CHRIST’S PREEMINENCE

A. Christ Is the Creator (Colossians 1:15b-17)

1. His position – “the firstborn of every creature” (Colossians 1:15b)
a. The Jewish understanding of the firstborn is twofold: 1.) order and 2.) position
b. Firstborn can speak of order; i.e. the resurrection (Colossians 1:18)
c. Here, however, it speaks of power, authority, and exaltation (see Psalm 89:20, 27)
2. His power (Colossians 1:16)
a. By Him were all things created
1.) In heaven and in earth
2.) Visible and invisible
3.) Thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers
b. All things were created by Him
3. His purpose – “for him” (Colossians 1:16b)
4. His preservation – “by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17; see Acts 17:28; Hebrews 1:3)

B. Christ Is the Image of God (Colossians 1:15a)

1. God is invisible (1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:27)
2. Christ expresses the invisible God
3. Other expressions of God have existed i.e. the Law, man, and faith, but Christ does so in the clearest possible way (2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 10:1)

C. Christ Is the Head of the Body (Colossians 1:18)

1. His position in relation to the life
a. He is the beginning
b. He is the firstborn from the dead
2. His position in relation to the church
a. He is the head of the body
b. The head is the identity of the body
c. The head is the ability of the body
d. The head is the guide of the body

III. THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST’S PREEMINENCE

A. What Is Preeminence?

1. It is used to express something that is above something else (Ecclesiastes 3:19)
2. It is used to describe a high place (Ezekiel 16:24, 31, 39; Ezekiel 17:22)
3. It is used to denote something demanding special attention (3 John 1:9)

B. The Work of Christ to Procure Preeminence

1. He created all things (Colossians 1:16).
2. He unveiled Himself and identified with His creation (Colossians 1:15a, 16).
3. He submitted Himself to His own creation in order to reconcile it to Himself (Colossians 1:18).
4. He rose again from the dead, becoming the “firstborn from the dead” (Colossians 1:18).
5. As such, He
a. Is far above anything named in this world or that which is to come (Ephesians 1:19-23)
b. Has been exalted and given a name above every name (Philippians 2:5-11)
c. Is worthy to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing (Revelation 5:12)

C. Your Responsibility to Christ’s Preeminence

1. The preeminence of Christ has nothing to do with you. As God, He
a. Is “greater than all gods” (Exodus 18:11) or “above all gods” (2 Chronicles 2:5; Psalm 135:5) or “a great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:3) or “high above all the earth” and “exalted far above all gods” (Psalm 97:9) or “great…and greatly to be praised” and “to be feared above all gods” (1 Chronicles 16:25; Psalm 96:4) or “God of gods” (Daniel 11:36)
b. Is “high above all the people” (Psalm 99:2) or “high above all nations” (Psalm 113:4)
c. Is “the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15-16)
d. Is “exalted…above the heavens” (Psalm 57:5, 11)
e. Is “exalted as head above all” (1 Chronicles 29:11)
f. Is “higher than the highest” (Ecclesiastes 5:8)
g. Is “exalted above all blessing and praise” (Nehemiah 9:5)
h. Has a name that is excellent and glory that is above the heavens (Psalm 8:1; Psalm 148:13)
2. However, His preeminence ought to change you.
a. If every knee will bow by force, why not bow yours willingly
b. If every tongue is going to confess, why not joyfully and willingly confess
c. If every soul will be subject to His will, why not submissively yield