Image of God (Col. 1:15)

Colossians 1:15 (NKJV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."

By Jake Kohl 

 

     According to D.H. Wallace, the term “prototokos” is a “messianic title suggested by the Greek of Psalms 89:27 and occurs eight times in the New Testament, referring to Christ, sometimes historically, sometimes figuratively.”[1] “The ‘firstborn’ was either the eldest child in a family or a person of preeminent rank.”[2] We can see in Psalms 89:27 that this verse describes David who is a son of Jesse, yet in 1 Samuel 16:11-13 David is Jesse’s youngest son which confers with the term being used as a preeminent rank.

     It is extremely important that scripture be examined in context so we know which words are used literally and which are used figuratively. In the case of Colossians 1:15, the term firstborn is used figuratively. We find Paul in Colossians 1:15 referring to Christ as the “firstborn of all creation” which is our focus in this discussion. This has caused much confusion and argument for many, and in other religious groups who have misinterpreted this scripture due to misunderstanding the use of the word.

     In responding to the Jehovah’s Witness who believe Jesus as being the first creation, through which everything else was created in which they take a literal view on the term firstborn and do not examine the scriptures using hermeneutics. My response would be simply pointing out the many different references in scripture as I have done on a few above. As for Mormons, they believe that Jesus was the literal firstborn of God, and He is the product of an intimate relationship between God and a goddess. This makes him our “eldest brother” in that He was the firstborn of creation, and we followed after.  This stance, which is also a literal interpretation of firstborn on this particular scripture, is also on the verge of being ridiculous. My response to a Mormon would be the exact same as my response to the Jehovah Witness. When we fail to interpret scripture using contextual understanding, we risk making the same mistakes in interpretation as both the Jehovah Witness and Mormons have made. 

Bibliography

Elwell, W. A., D.H. Wallace. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. 2nd edition. Firstborn, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2001. pg. 453.

Harris, Murry. Colossians and Philemon. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1991.

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[1] D.H. Wallace, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Firstborn, pg. 453.

[2] Harris, Murry. Colossians and Philemon. Pg. 39