Connect John 1:15 with Colossians 1:17. How do both affirm Christ's preeminence? Introducing the Two Verses • John 1:15 — “John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, ‘This is He of whom I said, “The One who comes after me has surpassed me, because He was before me.”’” • Colossians 1:17 — “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Shared Theme: Christ Was “Before” • John the Baptist points backward in time: Jesus “was before me,” though John was older (Luke 1:36). • Paul points farther back still: Jesus “is before all things,” preceding every created reality. • Both writers present Christ’s existence as eternal, not merely ancient (cf. John 1:1–2; Micah 5:2). Christ’s Pre-Existence • Eternally God the Son (John 17:5; Hebrews 1:3). • Present and active at creation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). • The phrase “was before” (ἦν πρῶτός μου) in John 1:15 stresses continuous existence; Paul’s “is” (ἐστίν) in Colossians 1:17 underscores a timeless, ongoing reality. • No created being shares this attribute, securing Christ’s unrivaled status. Christ’s Sustaining Power • Colossians 1:17 adds that “in Him all things hold together.” • Scripture echoes this sustaining work (Hebrews 1:3 — “upholding all things by His powerful word”; Acts 17:28 — “in Him we live and move and have our being”). • The cosmos depends moment-by-moment on Christ’s active governance, revealing lordship not only at creation but every second since. Supremacy Declared by Witnesses • John the Baptist: greatest born of women (Matthew 11:11) yields to Christ’s superiority. • Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles proclaims Christ as Head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:18). • Multiple independent testimonies converge on one conclusion—Jesus outranks every prophet, apostle, power, or principality (Revelation 1:17–18). Practical Takeaways: Living Under Christ’s Preeminence • Worship without reservation—He alone is worthy (Revelation 5:12). • Rest in His sovereignty—nothing escapes the One who “holds together” every atom (Romans 8:28). • Submit every area of life—plans, relationships, work—to the One who eternally “was” and continually “is” (Matthew 28:18). • Proclaim Him with confidence—John’s and Paul’s clear witness empowers ours today (2 Corinthians 4:5). |
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