THE PREEMINENCE
OF CHRIST
COLOSSIANS 1:15-17
Today the name of Jesus Christ is not allowed at the end of prayers, in schools, and even in some churches. As we cited before many so-called evangelical Christians now believe there are many ways to God. The truth that Jesus Christ is the only true God, the Creator, and the only way of salvation brings accusations of intolerance and “a closed mind.”
In Paul’s day the Colossian heresy denounced the deity of Christ and refused to believe in the Biblical view of creation. The apostle confronts this error with an incredible passage declaring specific characteristics of Christ which refute Gnosticism. These truths reach us today with relevancy and clarity. We need messages that confirm who the Lord Jesus is and what He came to do for mankind. We need reminders of Christology. We need messages which exalt the person and work of God the Son. We need Christ centered messages, preached by Christ centered men in order to bring men and women to Christ centered lives!
Paul proclaims three truths about the Lord Jesus Christ in verses 15-17. First, he proclaims the deity of Christ in verse 15. Next, in verse 15-17, the apostle proclaims the sovereignty of Christ. Finally, he proclaims the eternality of Christ in verse 17a.
I. THE DEITY OF CHRIST v. 15
Paul begins this paragraph, “For He is the image of the invisible God…..” “He” refers back to the “beloved Son” in verses 13-14. The word “image” is the Greek word “eikon” which is the root of our term “icon.” The word means “likeness, statue, representative, and a moral image.” Vincent notes that the word is more than mere likeness, which is superficial, but it refers to a prototype and embodies the essential verity of the prototype. A. T. Robertson states, “Jesus is the very stamp of God the Father as He was before the incarnation and is now.”
The issue which sets this statement apart is the phrase, “the invisible God.” Just as Adam initially was created in the image of God and fell into sin thereby foregoing that image, so now Jesus as the Second Adam comes as man bearing the image of the invisible God. However, we must note that Jesus was not created, nor was His image derived as Adam’s. Instead, Jesus came as the God-Man, fully God and completely man aside from a sin nature.
John 1:1 tells us that the Word was God. In verse 14 it further states, “And the Word became flesh….” Philippians 2:6 declares, “…who although He existed in the form of God….” The word “form” refers to the inward nature giving outward expression. Hebrews 1:3 further reveals, “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature….” The phrase “exact representation” is the Greek word from which we get our English term “character.” It speaks of “express image, the figure stamped as that burned or stamped to leave an impression.” All of these Scriptures indicate that Jesus is God very God. The further evidence lies in the rest of the truths of this passage.
The significance of these words in Colossians 1:15 bring home the truth about Christ’s deity. That should impact the believer in terms of our continual attitude toward the Lord. He is not to be trivialized or treated with irreverence. We must understand that we are dealing with Almighty God, I AM that I AM, and He who deserves the utmost respect and obedience.
II. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF CHRIST v. 15
Paul sets forth three considerations of why Jesus has all sovereignty.
A. He Is Master
The beloved Son is also “…the firstborn of all creation.” This statement must not be mistaken in two ways. First, this is not referring to Jesus’ resurrection. In verse 18 Jesus is said to be “the firstborn from the dead.” Secondly, this phrase, “firstborn of all creation,” does not mean Jesus was the first person created in all of creation.
The Hebrews used this term in reference to one’s position in a family. A slave could be designated as the firstborn if it pleased the master of the house. The son or person placed in the position as the firstborn also had all authority in matters of family business. He became the heir as well.
The Father God designated His beloved Son as the first-born of all creation. This means the Lord Jesus has all authority over creation. He rules over all creation and is the rightful heir to all the Father gives Him. Robertson adds, “Paul is here refuting the Gnostics who pictured Christ as one of the aeons by placing Him before all creation (men and angels).” The strength of the prefix “pro” at the beginning of the Greek word for born infers the preexistence of Christ prior to all creation.
B. He Is Creator v. 16
The truth of our Lord’s sovereignty comes forth in the declaration of Christ creating all things. “All things” occurs twice in this verse to emphasize the total sovereignty of Jesus Christ in creation. Three prepositions are used which amplify His total work of creation. First, it says, “For by (in) Him all things were created….” Literally the idea here is “in the sphere of Him.” Within the person of Christ’s creative ability of omnipotence and omniscience He made all things. Jesus Christ is the sphere of creation, all of it done within Himself. This implies that Jesus did not begin some action and then let nature evolve. He did it all in Himself! The modifying statements adding to this emphasis are “all things…both in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible….” The visible aspects of the heavens such as the clouds, the stars, the moon and sun, Christ created by a simple command, “Let there be….” The invisible parts of the heavens such as air, wind, electromagnetic fields, angels, heaven and hell were made by His word. Added to this is the creation of invisible and visible things of earth. Jesus created invisible things atoms, molecules, and gravity. He also made the visible things which are too numerous to mention.
Jesus is not only the sphere of creation, He is the source. “All things have been created through Him….” Through the agency of the Son of God all things came into being. John 1:3 affirms this wondrous fact.
Finally, Jesus Christ is the summation of creation. “All things have been created…for Him.” Everything He created was for His purpose. As the Creator Jesus has the right to determine the purpose for the creation. Ultimately, all things have their conclusion in Christ. He is the Sum of all things. Revelation 4:11 reveals the worship in heaven, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Romans 11:36 says, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” Everything was created because it pleased Christ. Everything created was for the glory of Christ. This is the end of all creation to bring honor and glory to our Lord.
C. He Is Sustainer v. 17b
“…and in Him all things hold together.” The phrase “hold together” comes from a compound Greek word. The prefix of this word denotes “union or with.” The main part of the word is the term for “stand, establish, complete, or continue.” Thayer defines it, “to stand with, to set with one another, or to put together parts into a whole.” Robertson adds that the word means, “to hold together; Christ is the controlling unifying force in nature.”
This statement reveals one of the great mysteries of science. We hear about how the atom should by its innate energy blow apart. Science cannot determine what holds the atom together. This verse gives the answer. What keeps animals within their own species? The instinct given by God governs their behavior. The planets stay in their orbit and this reveals the sustaining power of Christ.
Hebrews 1:3 also amplifies Jesus’ sustaining ability. “ And He….upholds all things by the word of His power.” The meaning of “upholds” is “to carry or bear.” The word of Christ carries all things in the universe. The Lord holds things together, moves things toward their ultimate destiny, and bears the very universe on His shoulders. This He does by only His word. Jesus Christ speaks and forces of the universe obey Him. Throughout the gospels He demonstrated His power over nature and even the forces of evil. Everything submits to His word. Even sinful man who in his pompous pride thinks he controls things ultimately operates under the sovereignty of Christ.
III. THE ETERNALITY OF CHRIST v. 17
“He is before all things….” Most commentators agree that this statement affirms the eternality of Christ. The word “before” in the way that it is used communicates the existence of Christ before all of creation. This of course would negate the Gnostic belief that Jesus was not God. God alone has no beginning and no end. This is the meaning of eternal. Jesus had no one create Him, for He always existed as the “Great I AM!”
The idea of this statement also suggests the preeminence of Christ. As the Master, Creator, and Sustainer of the universe and all that exists, He alone deserves preeminence.
We have considered our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He deserves our worship, faith and obedience. We should have a sense of our own littleness as we contemplate the awesomeness of who lives in us. As we will discover in the next section the Creator became the Reconciler. Man rebelled against His Creator and deserved annihilation. “Amazing love how can it be that thou my God would die for me!”
