Colossians 1:15 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.”
Today we want to study the second part of this verse, “….the firstborn of every creature.” The word ” firstborn” has two translations in scripture depending upon the context of the verse. It can be translated as the first child born to a family. A good example of this is Luke 2:7 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes….” Therefore it would imply the eldest son or daughter.
To understand the other use of the word, we need to understand something of the Jewish Culture. The firstborn male also occupied a preeminent position in the family structure. The father in considering his inheritance to his children, would allocate 2/3rd’s of his wealth to the firstborn. Culturally it was upon the eldest son’s shoulders to carry the family’s legacy; to insure that his “father’s house” continued and prospered, and that his siblings were cared for. Because of this the elder son always held a position of preeminence. Therefore the term “firstborn” not only had the definition of first to be born, but the implied understanding of position and preeminence.
This later meaning then is the proper understanding of “firstborn” in this verse. How do we know this? Remember I mentioned the context of the verse(s) determines how these dual meaning words should be interpreted. In last week’s study we defined the word “image” as ” who is the image of the invisible God, ‘sharing in the very self existent essence of his eternal nature.'” So by the definition of the word image, the term firstborn in this verse cannot mean the first to be born. Considering we already know that Jesus shared in the “self existent nature” of God himself. Jesus therefore is the second person of the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Making him preeminent to his creation, or “every creature.”
In putting these meanings together the complete rendering of the verse would read ” Who is the very essence of God, sharing in the Self Existent nature of the invisible God, being preeminent over all of creation.” I would say based on this definition that he is a most able Savior, Lord and Friend.
Next week’s verse study will complement and strengthen this rendering.
Father God,
Thank you for my Savior, Lord and Friend that I have in Jesus Christ. Who took on flesh to redeem me from sin, but ever lives in your presence so as to lead me home. Help me to put you first in my life, and to do those things that please you and draw me close to you. Thank you and Amen.