Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead… Nature and the Bible are alike in this respect — that you find in each two kinds of objects: the one simple, quiet, beautiful; the other grand, majestic, overpowering. In this chapter we get amongst the Highlands of Revelation. I. THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST. 1. As extending over two spheres, the realms of nature and grace, the universe and the Church. (1) He is the "firstborn of every creature." We cannot suppose Him to be a creature, because "He is before all things," dec. In Rabbinical literature Jehovah is styled the firstborn of creation, by which is meant that He is supreme over the universe; for the birthright carried with it supremacy. In like manner the phrase must be taken in reference to Christ. His dominion extends to all things in heaven: sun, moon, stars, dec., and angels who never fell; to things on earth: the globe and its inhabitants, all mineral, vegetable, animal, and human existence. (2) He is Head of the Church. Lord of the Church's mind — in their religious thinking believers are to think under Him. Lord of the Church's heart — in their affections believers are to be guided by Him. Lord of the Church's life — for His Word is law. 2. This supremacy has been obtained in two different ways. (1) Christ's birthright of authority and power over the universe is by creation. (2) In His redemptive work He is the firstborn of the dead. He is the firstborn in both, but creation is by life; redemption is through death. 3. There is a distinction between the relations in which the created universe and the redeemed Church stands to Him. He made the one; He is the Head of the other. The universe is a grand collection of things made by His power and for His use. Thus we are led to separate between the universe and Christ. He is no part of it. But in relation to the Church the distinction is dropped, and an idea of most intimate union introduced — it is His body, which is nowhere attributed of nature. 4. This pre-eminence issues in the union of the two realms. Ver. 20 should be read in connection with this. The reconciliation goes further than persons and laws and governments. Thus much appears. (1) That Christ, in His mediatorial reign, through His death, becomes the Lord and Guardian of the entire universe of holy beings, redeemed and unfallen; that He gathers all in one unto God, and is equally King of earth and heaven. (2) That the sin of man has disturbed the relation between Him and angels; that man getting out of place, throws into disorder the whole sphere of existence to which he belongs, as a wandering star would the solar system, and that Christ, by putting men right, reconciles them to angels and angels to them. (3) That without an atonement it was an unbefitting thing that heaven should receive depraved mortals; but that with an atonement it is quite befitting that men redeemed and sanctified should enter the ranks of the glorified; and that in the end such will be the number of the saved, and the relation in which they stand to the rest of the universe, that in some sense a reconciliation of all things will be accomplished. 5. Let me ask whether in correspondence with these views of Christ's supremacy He has pre eminence in our hearts and lives? II. THE PLENITUDE (ver. 19). 1. The fulness of the Father exists in Christ as it nowhere else does. In nature there are streams of the Divine glory, yet the ocean fulness is not there. In the reason of man there are Divine sparks; in the history of the world Divine footprints; in the souls of believers and the united virtues of the Church there is much Divine light and goodness; but the fulness nowhere, not even in the Bible, only in Christ. And wherever else in any measure it is, it is from Him. He is the Creator and Upholder of the world; Light and Lord of human reason; Sovereign of the ages; Giver of gracious power; Inspirer and Subject of the Book of books. 2. This plenitude must be taken in connection with the supremacy of Christ. (1) In creation He has the pre-eminence, because in Him all fulness dwells of infinite power, wisdom, goodness. (2) How could He be Head over all things to His Church if He were a man? A created Saviour could not supply all our need; but in the Divine Christ there is all fulness of pardoning mercy, renewing power, supporting love, strength for a day of trouble, a dying hour. 3. The pre-eminence and fulness of Christ constitute the leading object of our blessed faith. Agencies are needed to bring men to Him, but nothing can add to the completeness of those who are in Him. (J. Stoughton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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