Page 18 - BV18

18 Colossians 1:15-20

15b. “The firstborn of all creation.”

Trinitarians will claim that this verse is proof that Yeshua preexisted as the second member
of the Trinity before his birth to Mary . This of course, is based on tradition -- not Scripture! This
passage is not about the time-frame of the birth of Yeshua nor of the Trinity, it is about the Messi-
anic kingdom and Yeshua’s position in it. Firstborn does not mean the first to be born, it is used in
the sense of the superiority of position. The firstborn is the one who inherited the majority and most
important holdings of a family. In Yeshua’s case he is inheriting the promises that YEHOVAH
made to Abraham, which together are the basis for the kingdom of God, or the Messianic kingdom.
This is exactly what Colossians is referring to in the verse that leads up to Colossians 1:15-20. Let
us review Colossians 1:12-14 once again. Notice the word “inheritance”:

“Giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy
ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the king-
dom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Let us see what a few sources say about the meaning of “firstborn.” Vine’s Expository Dic-
tionary of Old and New Testament Words says the following about “firstborn”:

“Is used of Christ as born of the virgin Mary, Luke 2:7; further, in his relationship to the
Father, expressing his priority to, and preeminence over, creation, NOT in the sense of
being the “first” to be born.”

Zondervan’s Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible on pg. 540 states the following on “first-
born” —

Firstborn – He enjoyed prerogatives over his brothers, like receiving the father’s blessing
(Gen. 27:1-4, 35-37), preferential treatment by the father (43:33), respect as leader among
the brothers (37:22), and a double portion of the inheritance, twice that of any other son.

Christ is the “firstborn” of the Father (Heb.1:6), having preeminent position over others
in relation to him. He is the firstborn over many brethren (Romans 8:29) as one sovereign
above those related to him in the new creation.”

Notice how Zondervan’s Encyclopedia mentions “inheritance” just as it is in Colossians
1:12-14.

Zondervan’s Encyclopedia then goes on to say specifically about Colossians 1:15:

The proper meaning is that Christ stands in a relationship of priority or sovereignty over
all creation.”

Vine’s Expository Dictionary and Zondervan’s Encyclopedia both mention in their expla-
nations the preeminence of the firstborn, which is echoed in Colossians 1:18c:

The Berean Voice November-December 2002