The Mystique of Jesus as the Firstborn: A Biblical Insight

Disputes surrounding the nature of Jesus are often rooted in interpretations of the Bible. A verse like Colossians 1:15, which states, “Jesus is the firstborn of all creation,” has been pivotal in these debates. Trinitarians interpret this verse to mean Jesus is a created being, while others argue that Jesus is neither God nor the Son of God but a messenger of God. To disentangle the theological knots, let us delve into the biblical context and meaning of “firstborn”.

The Context of Being a Firstborn

In the Old Testament, the firstborn of the family was often seen as someone who would receive a double portion of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:15–17). A literal interpretation of “firstborn” might lead one to think of birth order, but the biblical narrative transcends this concept. The term has a more profound spiritual significance, particularly in the imagery of Proverbs 8 and its place in the plan of salvation.

Wisdom Personified in Proverbs 8

Proverbs 8 presents “Wisdom Personified”, illustrating the divine and eternal nature of wisdom:

Proverbs 8:22, 30: “Jehovah produced me as the beginning of his way, the earliest of his achievements of long ago.” “Then I was beside him as a MASTER WORKER. I was the one he was especially fond of day by day, I rejoiced before him all the time.”

These verses suggest that Jesus, through the personification of Wisdom, was created before all other things by God. This does not diminish His divinity but rather highlights His unique place in God’s plan of redemption.

Jesus as the Firstborn of All Creation

Let us explore how Colossians 1:15 and other verses reinforce this concept:

Colossians 1:15, 16, 18: “He is the firstborn of all creation. Because by him all things were created, 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. 18 (And he is) the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

Colossians 1:15 explicitly states that Jesus is the firstborn of all creation. This means He holds a position of preeminence, not necessarily as the first to be born. The emphasis is on His authority and the role He plays in God’s plan, rather than His place in a birth order. This concept is further elaborated on in Colossians 1:18, where the term “firstborn” is tied to “preeminence”.

Preeminence and Divine Honor

The “firstborn” refers to a status of honor and preeminence. This idea is underscored by several references in the Bible:

Psalms 89:20, 27: “I have found my servant David with my holy oil I have anointed him, also I will make him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.”

David, the youngest of his brothers, was anointed to be the firstborn of kings, a position of great honor and favor. Similarly, Jesus holds a unique status in God’s creation, but not as the first to exist. His role as the firstborn is tied to His preeminence and the purpose for which He was created.

The Human Aspect and Humility

Jesus often referred to Himself as the “Son of Man” instead of the “Son of God”. This was a deliberate choice to emphasize His humanity, bridging the gap between God and humanity:

Colossians 1:22: “But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”

Jesus, as a human, was the first to die and rise again, making Him the firstfruits of the resurrection. This title—and the use of the term “firstborn”—highlight the fact that even though He was created, He now holds a unique position of honor over all creation.

The Victory Over Death

Revelation 1:18 further emphasizes this by declaring:

“I am He who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

Jesus, who conquered death, now holds the keys, representing His ultimate preeminence over all of creation, both in life and in death.

Conclusion

The term “firstborn” in relation to Jesus is about His position of preeminence and honor, not about birth order. Thus, Jesus is the firstborn of all creation because He was created by God and holds the unique position of preeminence over all creation and over all those who have been created.

Keywords: Firstborn of All Creation, Jesus, Preeminence