Meditations

Question from moody radio listener:

Is Jesus the first creation of God the father in Colossians 1:15?

Answer from Dr Michael Rydelnik:

Some of our friends who I think misunderstand the bible misunderstand that verse. I think we will have to start with John chapter 1. It says in John 1: In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God. So whoever the Word was, he is God himself and then it says in John 1 verse 14 that the Word became flesh and then it dwelt among us. So it is saying that Jesus, who is the Word, he is the eternal God and he became flesh. So, we have to be really really clear that the scripture teach that the eternal Son of God is always deity. He is the eternal Word and he became flesh in the Incarnation and became a man. That being said, what does Colossians 1:15 mean when it says Jesus is the firstborn of all creation? The  word firstborn is an idiom and does not necessarily mean the first creation. What it means is the most beloved. For example, of all the nations of the earth, God chose Israel and says that Israel is the first born of the nations. It says that in the book of Exodus. Well, if Israel is the first born of the nations, does it mean that Israel is the first nation? No, there were many nations even before Israel came into existence as a nation. It just means that when God chose Israel, He gave them special status, beloved of the nations. It does not mean that God does not love the other nations. In the same way, Jesus is the beloved, God the father’s special love. It does not mean Jesus is the first created. Just look at the way firstborn is used in scripture and you will see that first born does not mean first in order but means beloved.

Colossians 1

¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  -kjv

¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  -niv

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.-hcsb