The Preeminence of Christ (Ephesians 1:21-22)

Preeminent: surpassing all others; distinguished; the greatest; superior.

In Colossians 1:18 Paul tells us that in all things Christ is to have the preeminence – He is to take center stage, be the North Star, the focal point, and the essence of our lives.

This concept of the preeminence of Jesus Christ is the heart of our passage in Ephesians 1:21-22.

In this section of Ephesians, Paul is talking about the position and superiority of Christ by declaring that He has a Name that is above all others … not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

In this expositional message, Nathan Johnson explains the preeminence of Christ and gives a rich meditation on the Name (Jesus) which is above all other names.

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A Simple Bible Study Resource

Key Passage: Ephesians 1:21-22

Ephesians 1:21-22 – “… far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, …”

Outline of the Section: “Power of God Demonstrated in the Life of Jesus” (Ephesians 1:20-23)

1:20a – performance (demonstration) Life
1:20b-21 – position
1:21-22 – preeminence
1:23a – person
1:23b – purpose

THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST

Colossians 1:18 – And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things He may have the preeminence.

• Preeminent: first, to have the first place; ranking above all others; surpassing all others; superior
• Only time in Scripture this word is used

Romans 11:36 – For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever! Amen.

• Also see 1 Corinthians 15:28

NAME ABOVE ALL OTHER NAMES

Quote: “[Christ’s Name] shall never be eclipsed by any other name, nor shall there ever be a name worthy to be coupled with his Name. In human history we find no name that can be fitly coupled with Christ’s. In the world to come, it shall ever shine forth with an unapproached effulgence. All this is said to exalt our sense of the Divine power that so raised up and exalted the God-Man, Christ Jesus – the same power that still works in believers.” (from The Pulpit Commentary, Ephesians 1:21-22)

AMEN

Quote: Exorcists and magicians tried to manipulate powerful spirits by invoking their names (see comment on Acts 19:13); the supremacy of Jesus’ name above all other names means that he is higher than all the spirit-powers being invoked and could not be exploited. (IVP background Comm)

Amen – why “In Jesus’ Name?” … and not my own

• I have no authority or power to accomplish/pull off what I am praying for
• John 14.13 – And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
• John 14.14 – If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
• 1 John 5.14 – Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
• Quote [Eric Ludy]: The Name of Christ is the essence of His Person – His nature, His preeminence, His majesty, His Kingly rank, His all-compassing authority, His Holy, Loving interests, His Divine pleasures, His timeless commands, his perfect virtue, and His exemplary deeds.  To Pray or Speak in the [Name] of Christ is to do a thing by His Command, fortified in His all-compassing authority, exerting His Kingly rank, His Holy, Loving interest, His divine pleasure, His timeless command, acting on His behalf and promoting His cause in this earth. (Eric Ludy, In the Name of Jesus)

THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST

• above every name that is named
  • There is no greater Name anywhere
• Christ is above all — He is preeminent!
• He is “head over all things” (E1.22)
• not only in this age but also in the one to come
  • Judaism divided time into two ages:
    • 1. Current age – God’s rule is not fully manifest
    • 2. Coming one – God will reveal His sovereign rule as king
    • Fun reality: because of Christ’s death, resurrection, ascention, and exaltation – we as Christians are able to live under God’s kingly rule in this age

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The Name Above All Names
A Meditation Upon the Names of Jesus in the Bible

 

Oh, my Precious Jesus, I worship You as Heavenly royalty. I love You as no mere man, but the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. Your Name is above every name and is like ointment poured forth. 

You Are,
A Son given (Isaiah 9:6), The Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16), The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18), The first-born of every creature (Colossians 1:15), The Son of the Highest (Luke 1:32), The Son of the Blessed (Mark 14:61)

You Are,
The Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6), The Everlasting God (Isaiah 40:28), The True God (1 John 5:20), God my Savior (Luke 1:47), Over all, God blessed for ever (Romans 9:5), The God of the whole earth (Isaiah 54:5), God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16), The great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13), Emanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23), and Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever (Hebrews 1:8)

You Are,
The Almighty, which is, and which was, and which is to come (Revelation 1:8), The Creator of all things (Colossians 1:16), The Upholder of all things (Hebrews 1:3), The Father of Eternity (Isaiah 9:6), The Beginning and the Ending (Revelation 1:8), The Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8), The First and the Last (Revelation 1:17), The Life (1 John 1:2), That Eternal Life which was with the Father (1 John 1:2), He that lives (Revelation 1:18)

You Are,
The Word (John 1:1), The Word that was with God (John 1:1), The Word that was God (John 1:1), You are The Word of God (Revelation 19:13), The Word of Life (1 John 1:1), The Word that was made flesh (John 1:14), The Image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4), The Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15), The Express Image of His Person (Hebrews 1:3), The Brightness of His Glory (Hebrew 1:3)

You Are,
A Child Born (Isaiah 9:6), The Sent of the Father (John 10:36), The Prophet of Nazareth (Matthew 21:11), A Prophet mighty in deed and word (Luke 24:19), A Servant (Philippians 2:7), The Nazarene (Matthew 2:23), The Carpenter (Mark 6:3), A Stranger and an Alien (Psalm 69:8), A Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), A Worm, and no Man (Psalm 22:6), even the Accursed of God (Deuteronomy 21:23), who humbled Himself unto death, even death upon a cross (Philippians 2:8)

You Are,
Jesus (Matthew 1:21), The Savior of the World (1 John 4:14), A Savior, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11), Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:5), The Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:2), Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (2 Thessalonians 2:16), Jesus the Christ (Matthew 16:20), Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:21), Jesus Christ the Righteous (1 John 2:1), Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 22:8), Lord Jesus (Acts 7:59), Messiah (John 4:25), Anointed (Psalm 2:2; Acts 4:27), The Christ of God (Luke 9:20)

You Are,
The Lamb of God (John 1:29), A Lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:19), The Lamb that was slain (Revelation 5:12), The Lamb in the midst of the throne (Revelation 7:17)

You Are,
The Way (John 14:6), The Door of the Sheep (John 10:7), The Shepherd of the Sheep (Hebrews 13:20), The Good Shepherd – that laid down His life (John 10:11), The Great Shepherd – that was brought again from the dead (Hebrews 13:20), The Chief Shepherd – that shall again appear (1 Peter 5:4)

You Are,
The Vine (John 15:5), The Tree of Life (Revelation 2:7), The Grain of Wheat (John 12:24), The Bread of God (John 6:33), The Bread of Life (John 6:35), The Hidden Manna (Revelation 2:17), A Plant of Renown (Ezekiel 34:29)

You Are,
The Light (John 12:35), The True Light (John 1:9), A Great Light (Isaiah 9:2), The Light of the world (John 8:12), The Light of men (John 1:4), A Light of the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6), A Star (Numbers 24:17), The Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16), The Day Star (2 Peter 1:19), The Day-spring from on High (Luke 1:78), The Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2)

You Are,
The Strength of the children of Israel (Joel 3:16), A Strength to the Poor (Isaiah 25:4), A Strength to the needy in distress (Isaiah 25:4), A Refuge from the Storm (Isaiah 25:4), A Covert from the Tempest (Isaiah 32:2), The Hope of Your people (Joel 3:16), A Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)

You Are,
The Rock (Matthew 16:18), My Strong Rock (Psalm 31:2), The Rock of Ages (Isaiah 26:4), The Rock that is higher than I (Psalm 61:2), My Rock and my Fortress (Psalm 31:3), The Rock of my Strength (Psalm 62:7), The Rock of my Refuge (Psalm 94:22), A Rock of Habitation (Psalm 71:3), The Rock of my Heart (Psalm 73:26), The Rock of my Salvation (2 Samuel 22:47), My Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14), That Spiritual Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4), A Shadow from the Heat (Isaiah 25:4)

You Are,
The Builder (Hebrews 3:3; Matthew 16:18), The Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11), A Sure Foundation (Isaiah 28:16), A Stone (Isaiah 28:16), A Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4), A Tried Stone (Isaiah 28:16), A Chief Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:6), A Precious Stone (1 Peter 2:6)

You Are,
The Minister of the Sanctuary and of the True Tabernacle (Hebrews 8:2), The Minister of the Circumcision (Romans 15:8), and Your flesh is The Veil which was rent in two (Hebrews 10:20)

You Are,
The Temple (Revelation 21:22), A Sanctuary (Isaiah 8:14), The Altar (Hebrews 13:10), The Offerer (Hebrews 7:27), The Offering (Ephesians 5:2), The Sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2), and Your Life is A Ransom (Mark 10:49), and You are the The Lamb Slain (Revelation 13:8)

You Are,
The Forerunner – where Jesus has gone on our behalf (Hebrews 6:20), The Mercy Seat (Romans 3:25), The Priest (Hebrews 5:6), The High Priest (Hebrews 3:1), The Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), The Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), The Daysman (Job 9:33), The Interpreter (Job 33:23), The Intercessor (Hebrews 7:25), The Advocate (1 John 2:1), The Surety (Hebrews 7:22)

You Are,
The Gift of God (John 4:10; 3:16), His Unspeakable Gift (2 Corinthians 9:15), The Chosen of God (Luke 23:35), The Salvation of God (Luke 2:30), The Redeemer (Isaiah 59:20), The Shiloh, The Peace-Maker (Genesis 49:10), The Most Blessed for ever (Psalm 21:6), And You are the One of whom the Father says, “My Beloved, in whom My soul is well pleased … (Matthew 12:18), Mine Elect [Chosen], in whom My soul delights” (Isaiah 42:1)

You Are,
Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11), The Truth (John 14:6), A Covenant of the people (Isaiah 42:6), The Covenanter (Hebrews 9:16, 17), The Faithful and True Witness (Revelation 3:14), A Witness to the People (Isaiah 55:4), The Amen (Revelation 3:14)

You Are,
The Holy One and the Just (Acts 3:14), The Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 49:7), The Holy One of God (Mark 1:24), Holy, Holy, Holy (Isaiah 6:3; John 12:41)

You Are,
The Beginning of the Creation of God (Revelation 3:14), The First-Born from the dead (Colossians 1:18), The First-Begotten of the dead (Revelation 1:5), The First-Born among many Brethren (Romans 8:29), The First-Fruits of them that slept (1 Corinthians 15:20), The Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45), The Resurrection (John 11:25), A Quickening Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45), The Head of the Body, the Church (Colossians 1:18), The Head over all things to the Church (Ephesians 1:22), The Head of every Man (1 Corinthians 11:3), The Head of all Principality and Power (Colossians 2:10)

You Are,
The Captain of the Host of the Lord (Joshua 5:14), The Captain of Salvation (Hebrews 2:10), The Author and Finisher of Faith (Hebrews 12:2), A Leader (Isaiah 55:4), A Commander (Isaiah 55:4), A Ruler (Micah 5:2), A Governor (Matthew 2:6), The Deliverer (Romans 11:26), The Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5), An Ensign of the People (Isaiah 11:10), The Chiefest among Ten Thousand (Song of Solomon 5:10), A Polished Shaft (Isaiah 49:2), The Shield (Psalm 84:9)

You Are,
Lord of Lords (Revelation 17:14), Lord both of the dead and living (Romans 14:9), Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5), Lord of Peace (2 Thessalonians 3:16), Lord of all (Acts 10:36), Lord over all (Romans 10:12)

You Are,
The Messiah, the Prince (Daniel 9:25), The Prince of Life (Acts 3:15), A Prince and a Savior (Acts 5:31), The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), The Prince of Princes (Daniel 8:25), The Prince of the Kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5), The Glory of Your people Israel (Luke 2:32), He that fills all in all (Ephesians 1:23)

You Are,
The King of Kings (Revelation 19:16), The Judge (Acts 17:31), The Righteous Judge (2 Timothy 4:8), A Scepter out of Israel (Numbers 24:17), David their King (Jeremiah 30:9), King of the daughter of Zion (John 12:15), born as The King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2; 15:2), crucified as The King of the Jews (John 19:19), The King of Saints, King of Nations (Revelation 15:3), King over all the earth (Zechariah 14:4, 5, 9), The King of Righteousness (Hebrews 7:2), The King of Peace (Hebrews 7:2), The King of Glory (Psalm 24:10), The King in His beauty (Isaiah 33:17), Crowned with a Crown of Thorns (John 19:2), Crowned with Glory and Honor (Hebrews 2:9), Crowned with a Crown of Pure Gold (Psalm 21:3), Crowned with many Crowns (Revelation 19:12), You sit enthroned as King forever (Psalm 29:10)

You Are,
A King and Priest after the Order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:15-17), the One likened unto Moses (Acts 3:22), A Refiner’s Fire (Malachi 3:2), Fuller’s Soap (Malachi 3:2), You are the Light of the Morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds (2 Samuel 23:4), You are as Rain upon the mown grass. As Showers that water the earth (Psalm 72:6), As Rivers of Water in a dry place. As the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary land. As a Hiding-place from the wind (Isaiah 32:2), You are as Ointment poured forth (Song of Solomon 1:3), Fairer than the Children of Men (Psalm 45:2)

You Are,
The Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15; Revelation 21:9), The Rose of Sharon (Song of Solomon 2:1), The Lily of the Valley (Song of Solomon 2:1), A Bundle of Myrrh (Song of Solomon 1:13), A Cluster of Henna Blooms (Song of Solomon 1:14)

You Are,
A Crown of Glory and Beauty (Isaiah 28:5), A Stone of Grace (Proverbs 17:8), A Nail fastened in a sure place (Isaiah 22:23), A Brother born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17), A Friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), A Friend that loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17), Your Countenance is as the sun (Revelation 1:16), Your Countenance is as Lebanon (Song of Solomon 5:15), Yes, You are altogether lovely. You are my Beloved and my Friend (Song of Solomon 5:16)

When upon this earth you were,
Obedient (Philemon 2:8), Meek, Lowly (Matthew 11:29), Guileless (1 Peter 2:22), Tempted (Hebrews 4:15), Oppressed (Isaiah 53:7), Despised (Isaiah 53:3), Rejected (Isaiah 53:3), Betrayed (Matthew 27:3), Condemned (Mark 14:64), Reviled (1 Peter 2:23), Scourged (John 19:1), Mocked (Matthew 27:29), Wounded (Isaiah 53:5), Bruised (Isaiah 53:5), Stricken (Isaiah 53:4), Smitten (Isaiah 53:4), Crucified (Matthew 27:35), Forsaken (Psalm 22:1)

But through it all You are still,
Merciful (Hebrews 2:17), Faithful (Hebrews 2:17), Holy, Harmless (Hebrews 7:26), Undefiled (Hebrews 7:26), Separate (Hebrews 7:26), Perfect (Hebrews 5:9), Glorious (Isaiah 49:5), Mighty (Isaiah 63:1), Justified (1 Timothy 3:16), Exalted (Acts 2:33), Risen (Luke 24:6), Glorified (Acts 3:13)

And You Are,
My Portion, My Maker, My Husband (Isaiah 54:5), My Well-Beloved (Song of Solomon 1:13), My Savior (2 Peter 3:18), My Hope (1 Timothy 1:1), My Brother (Mark 3:35), My Helper (Hebrews 13:6), My Physician (Jeremiah 8:22), My Healer (Luke 9:11), My Refiner (Malachi 3:3), My Purifier (Malachi 3:3), My Lord, Master (John 13:13), My Servant (Luke 12:37), My Example (John 13:15), My Teacher (John 3:2), My Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), My Keeper (John 17:12), My Feeder (Ezekiel 34:23), My Leader (Isaiah 40:11), My Restorer (Psalm 23:3), My Resting Place (Jeremiah 50:6), My Meat (John 6:55), My Drink (John 6:55), My Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7), My Peace (Ephesians 2:14), My Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30), My Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30), My Sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30), My Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30), My All in All (Colossians 3:11)

You Are,
My Jesus

 

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In Our Next Study Together …

I invite you to join me on this journey from the book of Ephesians to discover God’s eternal purpose, His plan for your life, and learn how to practically live out an abundant and fruitful Christian life. 

• Focus of our next study: Ephesians 1:21-22
  
• We will examine Christ as the Head of the Church, His Body in Ephesians 1:21-22
  
• I encourage you to read through Ephesians a couple of times this week and focus specifically on the prayer section of Ephesians 1:19-23.

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The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series

The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series in Ephesians is an in-depth verse-by-verse study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. These studies will guide you through this life-changing book of the Bible and give you practical application to help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with Jesus, experience the victorious Christian life, and help you build your life around Jesus Christ. 

About NRJohnson 

NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps Christians discover and experience a passionate love for God and His Word so that they can grow in their faith, live victorious lives, share the Gospel boldly, grow in their intimacy with Jesus, and transform the world through the indwelling life of Christ.
Read more about him here.