Does the first-born in the Bible necessarily mean the first one who was born created?

Question

Colossians 1:15 " He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation" RSV

Jehovah's Witnesses cite this verse as "proof" that Jesus Christ is not God, but rather the first angel that God created.

What is your take on this?

JR: I guess Bill got you. If I did not want to accpt your answers, I would have blocked you. I rather have you answering, but please, quit whining.

Answer 1

First born in the Bible often means that the person is in a position of pre-eminence, or preferential treatment. In fact, there are several instances where this happened in the OT. For example, Isaac was chosen over Ishmael, although Ishmael was the older of Abraham's two sons. The same with Jacob and Esau.

So, when the Bible says that Jesus is the first born of all creation, it is speaking in terms of status. He has the pre-eminence over all created things, because he is not merely a created thing.

This is why the Scriptures make a point of mentioning that, when he divested Himself of His glory (Philippians 2: 5-11), he then--and only then--made himself a little lower than the angels (positionally) as in Colossians 1.

Furthermore, the Scriptures tell us, to which angel did God ever call Son? The answer is NONE. So, Jesus cannot be an arch angel nor any other type of angel. This could not be any more clear.

The reason that the Apostle Paul went to great lengths to clear this us is that there were the same types of heresies rearing their ugly heads in his day. This is why, in 2 Corinthians 11: 3, 4, Paul was careful to warn the Christians that anyone who would come to them preaching a different gospel or a different Jesus, other than he whom the Apostles preached, should be disregarded and recognized as being a false doctrine of Satn.

Answer 2

Prototokos.

Prototokos is a conjunction of two root words. Protos and tikto (tikto is it’s alternate). Protos simply means: foremost (in time, place, order or importance):--before, beginning, first (of all), former.

The second article is tikto which means: to produce (from seed, as a mother, a plant, the earth, etc.), literally or figuratively:--bear, be born, bring forth, be delivered, be in travail.

Thus we see in these verses that Paul is telling us that Christ was ‘Begotten First or Born Before all creation’, because all of creation was created by God through Christ (Ephesians 3:9).

This is also the explanation given to us concerning this verse in the Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon: “Christ is called, firstborn of all creation, who came into being through God prior to the entire universe of created things”.

Wigram’s Greek Lexicon tells us the following: “Or it may be; born before all creation”. This truth is also testified to in Proverbs 8:24-25, “When there were no depths, I was brought forth (born); when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth (born)”.

The context of the extracted verse plainly indicates that Jesus is himself a creation of God. Colossians 1:15-16 read: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities."

Since Jesus is in the image of God, the same as Adam was initially, it is obvious that Jesus is not the Creator.

Answer 3

Check out my sources Nina. You can look at the actual Greek and see where the watchtower did some editing.


"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exists." (Col. 1:15-17, for context. The New World Translation - Emphasis added. Note the NWT’s addition of “other” into the text four times.)

The Jehovah's Witnesses interpret the word "firstborn" here to mean "first created" because it is consistent with their theological presupposition that Jesus is a created thing. Of course, Jesus, the word become flesh (John 1:1,14) is not a created thing. But that hasn't stopped the Watchtower organization from claiming He is. Nevertheless, there is a Greek word for "first created" and it was in use at the time of Paul's writing to the Colossians. He did not use it here. The Greek for "firstborn" is proto with tikto which would give us "firstborn" and that is what we find here in Colossians 1:15. The Greek for "first created" would be proto with ktizo and it is not used here.
Second, the biblical use of the word "firstborn" is most interesting. It can mean the first born child in a family (Luke 2:7), but it can also mean "pre-eminence." In Psalm 89:20, 27 it says, "I have found David My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him...I also shall make him My first-born" (NASB). As you can see, David, who was the last one born in his family was called the firstborn by God. This is a title of preeminence.
Third, firstborn is also a title that is transferable:

Gen. 41:51-52, "And Joseph called the name of the first-born Manasseh: For, said he, God hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath made me fruitful in the land of my affliction" (NASB)

Jer. 31:9, "...for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn (NASB)."

Scripture best interprets scripture. Firstborn does not require a meaning of first created as the Jehovah's Witnesses say it means here. "Firstborn" can mean the first born person in a family and it can also be a title of preeminence which is transferable. That is obvious since Jesus is God in flesh (John 1:1,14) and is also the first born son of Mary. In addition, He is the pre-eminent one in all things. The Jehovah's Witnesses should consider this when they examine Col. 1:15. They should also abandon the Watchtower which guides them in their thinking and believing.

Answer 4

Well, I believe that it refers to Jesus being God's first creation as he was with God throughout the creation of all things and this is the one, Jesus being referred to here. As far as your comments on JR, one minute he's a witness and the next moment he's wishing that a young woman get her behind kicked by Chuck Norris. He also tells lies and slanders people who have been victimized by the organization, so beware of them.

The organization, Jehovah's Witnesses is full of hypocrites as you can see, but the Bible truths are honest and with integrity. I am seeing so much more hypocrisy as time goes on but at least the Bible truths do have integrity and credibility.

Answer 5

If one is the first-born OF a herd or flock, he is necessarily one of those in that flock.

Since this is written in Greek as "first-born OF all creation, Jesus is a part of that creation.

Furthermore, it says he is the image of the invisible God. Any image is not the reality.

Men and angels are in the "image of God," therefore they cannot BE that which they are the image of.

In the same way, Jesus being in the IMAGE of God also shows that he is not God.

Answer 6

The traditional Christian answer is that Jesus Christ was begotton, not made - the very words of the English translation of the Nicene Creed, which has its roots about 1600 years ago. To say Jesus is a creature is a heresy in the traditional sense, that it denys a commonly held belief hammered out by the early church fathers in regards to the nature of God.

This interpretation and the difference between the JW and traditional Christian understanding highlight why Christians don't usually consider JW's as fellow Christians.

Grace & Peace!

Answer 7

God the Father is the one to worship. Jesus Christ is also a God, a separate being though from his father. No more the same person than any other father and son.

As far as that scripture, first understand we are all the children of God (Psalms 82:6 ....and all of you are children of the most High) God is the Father of our spirits (a spirit looks just like you but either hasn't been born yet, or has died and the spirit and body are separated.

God is the father of our spirits....
Hebrews 12
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
.....
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

So who was first born among the spirit children of God. Jesus Christ, that is why he is the first born. If you look at the symbolism of the old testament law of Moses they always offered up the first born of their flocks, without blemish. This was a type of Christ and the sacrifices all pointed to Christs sacrifice. So getting back to that scripture read a little further in verse
Colossians 1
18 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.

Christ was the first one to be resurrected from the dead, the first born from the dead in other words. No one who died before that was resurrected to an immortal life UNTIL Christ was, that is why he broke the bands of death.

As far as their claim that Christ was not a God, they would be in line with the wicked Jewish leaders of the time, but they would be wrong....
John 10
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

The leaders were offended and accused Christ of being God, yet Christ did not deny them, rather he quoted their own old testament law (Psalms 82:6 by the way) to show them that in fact their law supported his claim.

Answer 8

If I were Jesus, I think I'd be rather perturbed by being lowered to the status of an angel, even if it's "Michael the Archangel" as they refer to Jesus as. Why? He is called the Son of God, begotten of God, the first born of all creation, etc. Then, to be lowered to the status of an employee or "servant" in the heavenly realm. Think about it, angels do the "work" of God, they carry out his directions, orders, commands etc.
Would any parent treat their beloved children as they would the babysitter, gardener, housekeeper? Of course not (or at least a good parent wouldn't)!!!! Yet, the perfect Father is being portrayed as a father who would do this to his beloved Son.


Oh my, it seems that JR didn't heed the admonition of "elder trish...." judicial committees are forming as we speak!

Answer 9

I understand the Witnesses use and logic behind their argument. I am a former Ministerial Servent and have been what they call inactive for the past 15 years. However, that does not mean that I have been spiritual inactive or have stoped study and prayer.

To me the witnesses do not over emphasize the Father, Jehovah. But they do have the ability to been seen as not respecting Christ as much as others do. What is important to me is how are we to understand their relationship. Meaning the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We as humans seem to want or need everything to fit into understandable human terms and of course the bible written by man and for man attempts to explain things to us in a way that is good enough for us to undersatnd. However, it also gives opportunity for mis-interpratation by any one or group.

I see both sides of the argument that God the Father is one and that all things are in subjection to him however, I also see that Christ has a name above every other name and that every knee should bow to him. At the end of Revelation written by John we see the Christ handing the kindom back over to his father. But they are completely united in every thought, goal, love, and deed.

I am not sure that I have helped. But I am not sure that either camp ought to be as sure as they are about their understanding. I love the Scripture in Luke 24:45 that says that the chosen deciples of Christ did not undersatnd the scriptures until he opened their mind.

One thing is clear to me though is that both camps want to make this a point that they use for fear. I no longer believe that this is what God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit would want for us. God is love. I no longer fear love. Christ attoned for our sins so that we can have life everlasting in the kingdom. We are made in his image, he is eternal and he is love. To me guilt and fear are the work of our ego's in opposition to God.

God's Peace

Answer 10

Actually this is talking about Jesus is not only equal to God but, He is God. as the firstborn over all creation, he has all the authority of the firstborn prince in a king's household. He came from Heaven, not the dust from the earth.