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Why is Jesus called the Firstborn?

This video exposits on the proper meaning of why Jesus is called the Firstborn of all creation & Firstborn of the dead and refuting the claim that Jesus was a created being.

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The word firstborn may seem confusing.

The word firstborn may seem confusing. It does not imply that Christ was created (as in the doctrine of the Jehovah’s Witnesses). Instead, the term firstborn refers to a position of authority. To be “firstborn” was to hold an honored position. Paul immediately goes on to explain Jesus’ role in creation: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). This means that Jesus is not created but is Creator. He is God. Paul goes on to say, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Colossians 1:17–18). Paul highlights multiple areas in which Christ has authority—over creation, over the Church, over death, and finally “in everything.” Christ is both before all things and encompasses all things (“in Him all things hold together”). Therefore, Christ is supreme. This doctrine is essential to our view of and worship of Christ. The supremacy of Christ affirms that Jesus is fully God. He is not simply a man greater than the rest but is truly above all creation, as only God can be. This truth is essential for our salvation. God is infinite and, therefore, our sin against Him is an infinite offense. In order to atone for this offense, the sacrifice must be infinite. Jesus, as God, is infinite and thus an able sacrifice.

~ GotQuestions

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Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses

Christians have great news to offer Jehovah's Witnesses and Ron Rhodes helps readers delve into the Bible and use practical tools to share God's truths with those who come calling.

Convenient side-by-side comparisons of the New World Translation and the Bible, along with answers to each doctrinal error espoused by the Witnesses

Point-by-point lists of the favorite tactics and arguments used by the Witnesses—along with effective, biblical responses to each

Questions you can ask to challenge the Jehovah's Witnesses' confidence in the Watchtower Society

With easy-to-understand helps concise information, direct comparisons of beliefs, and a compassionate presentation, this resource from Ron Rhodes is ideal for personal and church libraries and for any reader who wants to confidently share the gospel.

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Paul defines Jesus as “firstborn” by saying he is the Creator of the universe, the Sustainer of the universe, the Head of the Church, and the Risen Lord, so that he can be chief over all things. This entire passage points only to the position definition! Since Jesus is “firstborn” in a positional sense, this verse may not be used as a text in support of the view that Jesus was created.

Bethinking.org

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H.B. Charles Jr. | The Supremacy of Jesus Christ | Colossians 1:15-20

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Why is Jesus called the Firstborn?

This video exposits on the proper meaning of why Jesus is called the Firstborn of all creation & Firstborn of the dead and refuting the claim that Jesus was a created being.

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In no way does the title firstborn indicate that Jesus is less than God. In fact, the ancient Rabbis called Yahweh Himself “Firstborn of the World” (Rabbi Bechai, cited in Lightfoot). Ancient rabbis used firstborn as a Messianic title: “God said, As I made Jacob a first-born (Exodus 4:22), so also will I make king Messiah a first-born (Psalm 89:27).” (R. Nathan in Shemoth Rabba, cited in Lightfoot)

David Guzik

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The Preeminence of Christ | Colossians 1:15-20

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Made and Paid

God created all things through Christ, and he is reconciling those same things to himself through Christ. James Dunn writes,

What is being claimed is quite simply and profoundly that the divine purpose in the act of reconciliation and peacemaking was to restore the harmony of the original creation . . . resolving the disharmonies of nature and the inhumanities of humankind, that the character of God’s creation and God’s concern for the universe in its fullest expression could be so caught and encapsulated for them in the cross of Christ.

In sum, Jesus made it all and then Jesus paid it all so that we can have a relationship with the living God. 

~ Theology Of Work Project

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Biblical texts used by JWs against the Deity of Christ

We will examine the six (6) main arguments given by JWs to support their belief that Jesus is not God but was created by God. First, the verse used will be cited as it appears in the translation used by JWs (New World Translation – NWT). Next the JW interpretation of the verse will be provided. A refutation of their interpretation follows. Finally, a summary of each discussion is provided as a “Bottom Line.

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Impossible for five reasons.

Though it is grammatically possible to translate this as ’Firstborn in Creation,’ the context makes this impossible for five reasons: 

The whole point of the passage (and the book) is to show Christ’s superiority over all things.

Other statements about Christ in this passage (such as Creator of all [Colossians 1:16], upholder of Creation [Colossians 1:17], etc.) clearly indicate His priority and superiority over Creation. 

The ’Firstborn’ cannot be part of Creation if He created ’all things.’ One cannot create himself. (Jehovah’s Witnesses wrongly add the word ’other’ six times in this passage in their New World Translation. Thus they suggest that Christ created all other things after He was created! But the word ’other’ is not in the Gr.) 

The ’Firstborn’ received worship of all angels (Hebrews 1:6), but creatures should not be worshiped (Exodus 20:4-5). 

The Greek word for ’Firstborn’ is prototokos. If Christ were the ’first-created,’ the Greek word would have been protoktisis.

~ Thomas Constable

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The firstborn of every creature: 

"Firstborn" originally related to the sequence of birth; but in both Greek and Hebrew writings, it is a title of honor and rank. This is the sense in which it is used in Exodus 4:22 where God declares the nation of Israel His firstborn,

And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn.

Jesus is not created; thus, He is not a "creature" and could not have been the firstborn meaning first created. Man is created of God, but Jesus is the "only begotten son" (John 1:18; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9). 

"Only begotten" means "single of its kind," implying that in the sense of His eternal sonship, Jesus has no brethren. In this context, firstborn means ruler of all created beings; and, as such, the phrase is a prelude to the following verse that specifically names those things.

How easily Paul dismisses with a single phrase, all the Jewish and gnostic hierarchy of angels and intermediaries! They are not to be concerned about them because Christ is the ruler of them as He is of man. ~ Charles Baily

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The two words, 'image,' and 'firstborn,' stand for Christ's perfect manhood and perfect deity.

James Coffman

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Over all creation, Christ occupies the relation of supremacy such as is accorded the firstborn; and such is preeminently due to the `firstborn of all creation'.

David Lipscomb

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Christ Alone - Colossians 1:15-20