The following comes from a discussion in one of my theology classes. Please share your thoughts as a comment in response if you would like. I hope that these posts help and encourage you to gain a deeper and more fuller understanding of who God is based on Scripture.
Topic: Colossians 1:15 reads in the NKJV (and is similar in most translations): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Jehovah's Witnesses understand that by Christ being the firstborn over all creation, he is actually the first created being through which all other things are created (see their New World Translation). Mormons, on the other hand, take the English translations quite literally and believe that Christ is literally the firstborn child of Heavenly Father and one of his goddess wives (thus Jesus is our eldest brother). The Greek word translated " firstborn" is prototokos. How should Christians understand the use of this term in this context, and how might Christians in turn respond to the interpretations of Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons regarding the nature of Christ as the "firstborn"?
Response:
The term “firstborn” can be confusing without examining the context in which it is being used. There is the usage of the word in both the Old and New Testament meaning the first in order, and literal reference to being born first. However, the word for firstborn in both Greek and Hebrew can also mean a position of preeminence, a high position, or that of blessing. With reference to being the literal first born, we see this example in Exodus 13:2, where Moses is instructed by God that all firstborn from the womb is the Lords. Now, it is easy in this example to understand the literal meaning due to the wording and context of the passage, primarily the connection of the word firstborn to the womb. This clearly indicates that in this case, firstborn is referring to the literal meaning of being born first. However, when we examine the context of other passages, this conclusion causes problems. One example is also in Exodus, where reference is made of Israel being the first nation (4:22). Now without examining the context and referring to other Scripture it would be easy to accept a literal meaning of the word, and conclude that Israel was the first nation on earth. But we know based on Genesis 10 that there were many nations prior to that of Israel. In examining the context related to this passage in Exodus 4 we can determine that the term firstborn here is being used not literally, but to refer to a position of favor and blessing. This is seen to be true throughout Scripture and history, that Israel as a nation has been blessed. Another example of this is Psalm 89:27. Here we see David being referred to as the firstborn, but we know from the story in 1 Samuel that he was the youngest of Jesse’s sons. However, when we consider the context and history, we can understand the use of this word to be in reference to that of blessing and preeminence as he was king of the nation of Israel, and head of a household.
Our focus in this discussion is centered on the use of this term in Colossians 1:15, where we find Paul referring to Christ as the “firstborn of all creation”. This has caused confusion for many, and in other religious groups misinterpretations due to misunderstanding the use of the word. We know that Jehovah’s Witnesses see Jesus as being the first creation, through which everything else was created. Because of this belief, when they read this passage of Scripture, they take a very literal interpretation of Jesus being the first created being (first in order). Mormons have a slightly different view, but still misinterpret the use of the term in this passage. Mormons believe that Jesus was the literal firstborn of God, that being 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. Both views as stated before are wrong. Both views fail to take into account the context in which the word is being used. Further, there are examples throughout Scripture that can illustrate both uses of the term dependent on their context. With respect to Colossians 1:15, we find clearer evidence of a less literal interpretation in verse 18. In this verse, Paul goes on to explain “...that in everything he might be preeminent.” Here Paul clearly paints a picture of his use of the term firstborn in reference to Christ. Again, the context surrounding the passage is of great importance. When we ignore this and begin to come to our own conclusions we risk making the mistakes the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons have done.
The term “firstborn” can be confusing without examining the context in which it is being used. There is the usage of the word in both the Old and New Testament meaning the first in order, and literal reference to being born first. However, the word for firstborn in both Greek and Hebrew can also mean a position of preeminence, a high position, or that of blessing. With reference to being the literal first born, we see this example in Exodus 13:2, where Moses is instructed by God that all firstborn from the womb is the Lords. Now, it is easy in this example to understand the literal meaning due to the wording and context of the passage, primarily the connection of the word firstborn to the womb. This clearly indicates that in this case, firstborn is referring to the literal meaning of being born first. However, when we examine the context of other passages, this conclusion causes problems. One example is also in Exodus, where reference is made of Israel being the first nation (4:22). Now without examining the context and referring to other Scripture it would be easy to accept a literal meaning of the word, and conclude that Israel was the first nation on earth. But we know based on Genesis 10 that there were many nations prior to that of Israel. In examining the context related to this passage in Exodus 4 we can determine that the term firstborn here is being used not literally, but to refer to a position of favor and blessing. This is seen to be true throughout Scripture and history, that Israel as a nation has been blessed. Another example of this is Psalm 89:27. Here we see David being referred to as the firstborn, but we know from the story in 1 Samuel that he was the youngest of Jesse’s sons. However, when we consider the context and history, we can understand the use of this word to be in reference to that of blessing and preeminence as he was king of the nation of Israel, and head of a household.
Our focus in this discussion is centered on the use of this term in Colossians 1:15, where we find Paul referring to Christ as the “firstborn of all creation”. This has caused confusion for many, and in other religious groups misinterpretations due to misunderstanding the use of the word. We know that Jehovah’s Witnesses see Jesus as being the first creation, through which everything else was created. Because of this belief, when they read this passage of Scripture, they take a very literal interpretation of Jesus being the first created being (first in order). Mormons have a slightly different view, but still misinterpret the use of the term in this passage. Mormons believe that Jesus was the literal firstborn of God, that being 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. Both views as stated before are wrong. Both views fail to take into account the context in which the word is being used. Further, there are examples throughout Scripture that can illustrate both uses of the term dependent on their context. With respect to Colossians 1:15, we find clearer evidence of a less literal interpretation in verse 18. In this verse, Paul goes on to explain “...that in everything he might be preeminent.” Here Paul clearly paints a picture of his use of the term firstborn in reference to Christ. Again, the context surrounding the passage is of great importance. When we ignore this and begin to come to our own conclusions we risk making the mistakes the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons have done.
