What is preeminence?

Question:        Col. 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 might have the preeminence.  Can you shed some light on this verse?

 

Answer:          Col. 1:18 is referring to Jesus as the head of the church; Eph. 5:23, “…..even as Christ is the head of the church…..”  The church is the body of Christ; 1 Cor.12:27, “now ye are the body of Christ…..”  Jesus is the beginning or first born from the dead because he was the first to be resurrected with a new body; 1 Cor.15:44, “it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.  Jesus is the preeminence because he is ranked first.  He was the first to have a spiritual body; 1 Cor.15:23…..every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”  Jesus is the fullness of the plan of God; Col. 1:17, “.…..he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”  He brought us back into fellowship with God; Col. 1:20, “…..having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself…..”