Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

Question:

Questions from Colossians 1 ― (1) “The firstborn of every creature;” verse 15?

Answer:

The apostle is unfolding the personal glory of the Son of God in these verses (15-19). When the Creator deigned to take a place in that which He created, He must necessarily be “first-born,” or “chief” of it all, in the dignity of His person. It is a relative name; not one denoting the date at which He did become a Man, thus taking a place in it. Just as it is said of Solomon who was not David’s first-born, “I will make him my first-born, higher than the kings of the earth,” in the place of priority given him. He adds, in verse 16, “For by him were all things created … and for him;” explaining and enlarging upon verse 15. He must be the chief of it all, even if He appeared last in order of time, as taking a place in it. Adam could not be this, and his children were only those of a fallen man. When God Himself takes a place in that which He created, He could not have a secondary place; but is “first-born,” or “chief,” because He had created it. Wondrous and yet simple testimony to the deity of Jesus!