WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FIRST CREATED AND THE FIRST BORN?

THE FIRST CREATED WAS NEVER THE FIRSTBORN

ADAM AND EVE THE FIRST CREATED

To understand Colossians 1:15-18 one must know the difference between the first created and the firstborn and the use of the word “firstborn” in its literal sense and in its figurative sense. In (Gen 1:27 KJV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. The Bible clearly states that the first created humans were Adam and Eve.

(Col 1:15-18 KJV) (Jesus Christ) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he (Jesus Christ) is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he (Jesus Christ) might have the preeminence.

LITERAL USE OF THE WORD “FIRSTBORN”- CAIN THE FIRSTBORN

(Gen 4:1 KJV) And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

When the word “firstborn” is used literally in the Bible it always means that someone or something is being born by virtue of a physical birth.

FIGURATIVE USE OF THE WORD “FIRSTBORN” - EPHRAIM IS MY FIRSTBORN

When God elevated a person to the position of preeminence he was called “the firstborn” which is the figurative use of the word. There are numerous examples of this in Scripture. Here are two:

1. Joseph’s Two Sons, Manasseh & Ephraim

Gen 41:50-52 50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.

51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.

52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Ephraim the second born is said to be the firstborn. This is positional and used figuratively.

(Jer 31:9 KJV) They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

2. David was the last of eight sons, but the LORD ranks him figuratively as the firstborn.

(Psa 89:27 KJV) Also I will make him (David) my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

CONSIDERATION

Now any honest student of the Bible must ask himself whether the term “firstborn” in Colossians 1:15-18 is used literally or figuratively. If it is used literally, then in the pre-existence Jesus must have had a mom and a dad when he was born from the womb. Is this what verse 15 is saying? No. That would be absurd! Also one cannot be literally born from the dead, for a literal birth only takes place when one is born from the womb. When the term “firstborn” is used figuratively it denotes first in rank or preeminence, which is precisely what the Scripture is saying in these verses.

The first-born in verse 15 signifies position in the same way the firstborn child in a family is born before his siblings, likewise Christ existed before Creation. The first-born was customarily given more honor, greater authority and a larger share of the inheritance than other children in the family. Christ as the firstborn of every creature (it is clear that the figurative sense of the term is used here) means that He is before as well as pre-eminent in all creation. The reason for His preeminence is clearly explained in verse sixteen that follows: “For by him (Jesus Christ) were all things created...”

Verse seventeen states that he is before all things: 17 And he is before all things, and verse eighteen states that he is the beginning (in the sense that he is the source and origin of all things) which is the precise meaning of the same word (beginning) in Rev 3:14: “ ...These things saith the Amen (Jesus Christ), the faithful and true witness, the beginning (the source and origin) of the creation of God;”

The positional pre-eminence of Christ in the resurrection is amplified in verse eighteen by the figurative use of the term “first-born from the dead.” Christ has the pre-eminence in the resurrection because He is the first fruits of the resurrection.(1 Cor 15:20 KJV) But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

WHAT ABOUT PROV 8:22, IS IT SAYING THAT JESUS WAS CREATED?

The LORD possessed me (wisdom) in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

Well, if you believe that the context of a passage of Scripture determines the meaning of what is being said, then the answer is absolutely, NO!! Proverbs chapter eight is comparing the wicked woman of chapter seven to the spiritual woman of chapter eight. Wisdom is personified in chapter eight as a woman prophetess. Look at the feminine pronouns in the beginning of the chapter:

(Prov 8:1-3 KJV) Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

Verse 22 is simply emphasizing God’s use of wisdom as His basic principle in creating the universe.