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Christ And The Phrase
First-Born

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A) A LITTLE HISTORY.

B) THE PHRASE FIRST-BORN.

 

 

A) A LITTLE HISTORY

 

 

The Arians were the first ones to apply this verse to show that Christ was a “created being.”  Jehovah’s Witnesses have been the best denomination to continue on with that interpretation.  Although such an interpretation may be possible when being “farfetched,” as far as the grammar of this passage is concerned (when you twist it), it is elsewhere contradicted in Scripture (comparing Scripture with Scripture).  It is best to understand this passage as being a figurative expression, describing Jesus as being the “First in Rank,” or “first-born” of the human family (Christ’s Humanity, not His Divinity); as in “Royalty, First in Rank,” which is authoritative and absolute.

 

An example would be that of the president’s wife being called the “First Lady.”  Certainly, we would not consider her to be the “First Lady” that was ever born or that ever lived in the capital building.  If you are going to quote Colossians 1:15 to prove Christ’s non-Divinity, or to treat Him as a “created being,” then you have to stay in context and go the Colossians 2:9 where the very same author stresses the fullness of the Deity Living in Christ.  No way would the author contradict himself, else he would have no validity to continue teaching us (in other words, the Book of Colossians should be thrown out as unreliable).  Thus, since he would not contradict himself, Paul is establishing here in this passage that he clearly means, “First in Rank.”

 

 

B) THE PHRASE FIRST-BORN

 

 

The Greek word for “first born” is “prototokos.”  In Hebrews 1:6, “prototokos” clearly refers to the incarnation of Christ.  In Matthew 1:25 and Luke 2:7, “prototokos” is also usen of Christ as being the “first-born of Mary.”  In Hebrews 11:28 the word is used to refer to the “first-born of Egypt.”  And in Hebrew 12:23, the word describes the members of the “Church of the first-born.”  When the word applies to Christ, as we find it here, Paul is also using it in Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 1:6.

 

The true meaning of “prototokos” is in reference to “priority of position,” as opposed to “priority of origin.”  If we were to look at its five uses in Scripture (noted above), we can clearly see how “position” is its clearly distinguishable application.  The literal translation of the Greek would be, “Pre-eminent.”

 

We can clearly see this demonstrated in Genesis 48:14 and Jeremiah 31:9, where “Ephraim” is certainly not the “firstborn.”  But rather, the “first in rank or position” at that time.  Also, in Genesis 22:2, we have the concept of “only son.”  Surely, we realize that “Isaac” was not the “only son” of Abraham.  But rather, the “Pre-eminent” son.  Compare to Zechariah 12:10 and then Hebrews 11:17.

 

Thus, how can you be the “firstborn” of creation (as some argue) and yet be the creator of all of creation (see Col. 1:16)?  Impossible!  Therefore, it should be understood here, that Christ is really pictured as the Creator and preceding creation itself.  Looking the Colossians 1:16 again with that understanding, and then comparing it to John, Chapter One, Ephesians 3:9, Hebrews 1:2 & 10, we can come to the same conclusion.

 

Colossians 1:17 is too hard to reconstruct with any other understanding:  “He [Jesus] is before all things, and by Him [Jesus] all things consist.”  That would exclude Himself as far as being a created being, or created at all, is concerned.  Thus, Paul’s main point here (verses 15-17), is that Christ is God Himself.  Else why should the Corinthians care what Paul is talking about?

 

A clear mistake by all denominations and anyone attempting to understand the Bible correctly, is to misunderstand when the Bible is referring to Christ’s Divinity, or to His Humanity.  Since the Bible is clear as to Christ being God (even Jehovah’s Witnesses admit that Christ is “a god”), then He cannot be the Creator of “all things” and yet be a created being Himself.

 

The Hebrew equivalent langue structure is found in Psalm 89:27, where it states:  “Also I will make him (king David; staying in the context of verse 20) My firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.”  Surely you can clearly see that David was not the “first” king who was ever “born.”  Nor was he the “first” king that God “created.”  Thus, the context and meaning are clear, i.e., “first in priority.”

 

Another thing to consider is that Christ was not the “firstborn” in Heaven; for there is no procreation in Heaven (see Mat. 22:30; Mark 12:25; Luke 20:35).  Therefore, since Christ created all things, He could not possibly be a “created being.”  You cannot be both the Creator or all things and be the “first-borne of creation.”  For Christ to be a “created being” in Heaven, He could not have been created by being a “firstborn” child (or being) in Heaven.

 

Therefore, “First in Priority” or “Rank” is the correct translation or this passage; based upon the context, i.e., contextual context of the sentence and paragraph structure in both the Hebrew and Greek.  It is clear that “first-borne (Greek “prototokos”), is a figurative expression which better describes Christ as being “First in Rank and Authority.”  Based upon John 1:1-13 and other Biblical texts, Christ is indeed God Himself.  And God Himself CANNOT be a “created being,” or else He would not be able to hold the Title of God.

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