This study examines the absolute, pre-temporal Lordship and supremacy of Jesus Christ. Grounded in the KJV text, it connects early Christian worship with systematic Reformational doctrines (Sola Scriptura and Sola Regno) and details how Christ's humility led to His cosmic exaltation.
In a world filled with competing voices, temporary powers, and shifting values, the scriptures offer an unwavering anchor. There is one declaration that defines the entire landscape of creation, eternity, and human history: Jesus Christ is Lord.
This is not a title given by popular vote, nor is it a status that can be diminished by human denial. He simply is. As we explore the scriptures, we see that His Lordship is absolute, supreme, and preeminent in all things.
Seminary Note on Kenosis: The "Wherefore" in Philippians 2:9 points directly to Christ's self-emptying (kenosis) in verses 6-8, where He laid aside His divine privileges, took the form of a servant, and humbled Himself to the death of the cross. His supreme Lordship is the divine vindication of His ultimate humility.
Biblical scholars widely identify Philippians 2:6-11 as a pre-Pauline poetic hymn (often referred to as the Carmen Christi) sung in early Christian house-church liturgies.¹ By singing this hymn, the earliest Christians publicly confessed Christ's co-equality with the Father and His subsequent exaltation as Lord (Kyrios). This liturgical practice highlights the divine vindication of Christ's voluntary humility and represents a sharp theological contrast to the imperial cult of Rome, which declared Caesar as lord.²
The Supremacy in Creation and Eternity
Before anything was made, before time existed, Christ was. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos. As written in the book of Colossians, everything was created by Him and for Him.
He does not depend on anything for His existence. While Job 26:7 poetically records that God "hangeth the earth upon nothing," New Testament scripture reveals that this sustaining power resides fully in Christ, "by whom all things consist" (Colossians 1:17).
Seminary Note on Prototokos: The term "firstborn of every creature" (Colossians 1:15) does not imply that Christ was a created being. Rather, in biblical Greek, prototokos signifies supreme rank, priority, and preeminence over all creation, affirming His eternal, uncreated nature.³
Koine Greek Lexicon & Morphology
| Greek Word | Lexical Root | Literal Definition | Theological Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| ὑψόω (hypsóō) | ὕψος (height / altitude) | To highly exalt; lift up to the highest pinnacle. | Used in Philippians 2:9 (hyperypsosen) to denote God's super-exaltation of Christ in response to His deep humility. |
| κύριος (kýrios) | κῦρος (supreme power / authority) | Lord; legal owner; sovereign master. | The title given to Christ in Philippians 2:11, representing the Greek translation of the Hebrew tetragrammaton (Yahweh). |
| πρωτότοκος (prōtótokos) | πρῶτος (first) + τίκτω (to bring forth) | Firstborn; primary in rank and inheritance. | Used in Colossians 1:15 to define Christ's sovereignty and preexistence over all created things, not His creation date. |
| κένωσis (kénōsis) | κενόω (to make empty / pour out) | The act of self-emptying. | In Philippians 2:7, Christ "made himself of no reputation" by taking the form of a servant without relinquishing His divine essence.⁴ |
He Precedes, Exceeds, and Succeeds
Paul’s epistle to the Colossians makes it clear that Christ has unqualified supremacy. He is the head of the body, the church, the firstborn from the dead.
In all things, He has the preeminence. He precedes all others in His priority; He exceeds all others in His superiority; and He succeeds all others in His finality. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, having ultimate authority over both the living and the dead.
The supreme Lordship of Christ is intrinsically connected to the Reformed principle of Sola Scriptura—where the written Word is the ultimate authority because it is the directly inspired command of Christ Himself. Furthermore, the doctrine of Sola Regno (Christ's total kingship) asserts His absolute dominion over all spheres of human existence. Drawing upon Kuyperian sphere sovereignty, we recognize that He is not merely Lord over the religious life, but claims total authority over the family, the workplace, culture, and state: "There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: 'Mine!'"⁵
To reinforce His eternal and unshared supremacy, the Apostle Paul declares in his first epistle to Timothy:
"Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." — 1 Timothy 6:15-16, KJV
Christ is the only Potentate—meaning His authority is unshared, uncreated, and immutable. He is the same at all times and can be known by His divine attributes, as well as by His eternal being and holy will.
Discipleship Check: Knowing that Jesus is Lord is not merely a statement to make lightly. It demands absolute obedience and trust. When we confess Him as Lord, we submit our lives, our trials, and our victories to His supreme command.
Acknowledge Christ's supreme authority in these active areas of everyday life:
"In what area of your life are you still treating yourself as the ultimate authority rather than submitting to Christ's lordship?"
Inspiration and Dedication
This teaching is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Reverend S.M. Lockridge (1913–2000), whose powerful, passionate, and legendary sermon "Jesus is Lord" (often remembered as the "That's My King" sermon) has inspired generations of believers to recognize the unqualified supremacy and majesty of our Savior.⁶ We thank him for his faithful stewardship of the Gospel and for lifting up the name of Jesus Christ with such burning fire.
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