Pre-eminence of Jesus Christ

The scope of Jesus Christ’s pre-eminence

Over all people

John 17:2 NLT

For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him.

See also Mt 25:31–32; Ro 10:12

Over his enemies

1 Corinthians 15:25–26 NLT

For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.

See also Ac 2:32–35; Ps 110:1; Eph 4:8 Paul probably interpreted “captives” to refer to the spiritual enemies of Christ defeated at the cross.

Over every power and authority

Colossians 2:15 NLT

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

See also Eph 1:21

Over all traditions and institutions

Matthew 12:8 NLT

For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

Over all things

1 Corinthians 15:28 NLT

Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.

See also Mt 11:27; Mt 28:18; Jn 3:35; Jn 13:3; Jn 16:33; Ac 10:36; Php 3:21; Heb 2:8

The pre-eminence of Jesus Christ in relation to others

To other prophets

Mt 3:11; Mt 12:41; Jn 1:26–27; Jn 1:30; Jn 3:30; Heb 1:1–2

To the patriarchs

Jn 1:17; Jn 8:52–58; Heb 3:3–6

To Aaron and other high priests

Hebrews 8:1–6 NLT

Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands. And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law. They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.” But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.

See also Heb 4:14; Heb 6:20; Heb 7:23; Heb 7:26–28; Heb 9:11–14; Heb 9:24–26

To angels

1 Peter 3:22 NLT

Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.

See also Heb 1:4–14

To other lords and kings

Revelation 17:14 NLT

Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”

See also 1 Ti 6:15; Re 19:16

Descriptions of Jesus Christ’s pre-eminence

He is the head

Colossians 2:10 NLT

So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

See also Eph 1:9–10; Eph 1:22; Eph 4:15; Eph 5:23–24; Col 1:18

He is the capstone

Mt 21:42 By so saying Jesus Christ applied this verse to himself. The capstone/cornerstone was the most significant stone of a building’s structure.

See also Ps 118:22; Ac 4:11; Eph 2:20; 1 Pe 2:7

He is the Chief Shepherd

Jn 10:11; Heb 13:20; 1 Pe 5:4

The reasons for Jesus Christ’s pre-eminence

His divine origin

John 3:31 NLT

“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.

See also Jn 1:1–2; Jn 17:24

His equality with the Father

John 10:30 NLT

The Father and I are one.”

See also Col 1:19; Col 2:9

His authority derives from the Father

John 5:22–27 NLT

In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him. “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. “And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man.

He possesses the rights of the firstborn

Col 1:15–17 As the firstborn son has the rights and privileges of an heir, so Jesus Christ is heir of all things by virtue of his pre-existence and sonship.

See also Ro 8:29; Heb 1:6

He has a superior name

Philippians 2:9 NLT

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,

See also Ac 4:12; Heb 1:4

He is the First and the Last

Re 1:17 This title implies that all things are summed up in Christ and find their purpose in him.

See also Re 2:8; Re 22:13

Examples of events whereby Jesus Christ’s pre-eminence is recognised

His entry into Jerusalem

Mt 21:4–9; Zec 9:9

His resurrection

Ro 1:4; 1 Co 15:21–23; Re 1:5

His exaltation to the Father’s right hand

Acts 5:31 NLT

Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven.

See also Ac 2:33; Ac 7:55; Eph 1:20–21; Eph 4:8–10; Php 2:9–11; Col 3:1; Heb 8:1; Heb 10:12; 1 Pe 3:22; Re 3:21