Somewhere in the Bible God tells of Jesus as the firstborn. Does that mean that Jesus was created and not fully God?
Here is the verse:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Colossians 1:15
If you do a quick read of this verse, it does seem that Jesus was indeed a created being and not fully God. But if you look at the verse in its context and do a study of the word “firstborn”, the true meaning of this verse becomes clear.
The word firstborn usually means the first child born into a family, but not always. King David was the youngest son born in his family but he is ranked as the firstborn of the kings on earth.
I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the king of the earth.
Psalm 89:27
Israel was not the first nation on earth, but God regarded his people as firstborn.
Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says; Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, let my son go, so he may worship me.’
Exodus 4:22-23b
God had chosen the people of Israel to receive honor and prominence and thus the title of firstborn. If we look at the word firstborn as the meaning of a title of honor, then this word makes sense in the way it is used in the context of the entire passage. To clarify this let’s look at the two verses following verse 15.
For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:16-17
If Jesus did create “all things in heaven and earth”, then it makes no sense to say that Jesus himself was created. Plus Paul stated that Jesus was “before all things”. Yes, Jesus existed before creation, which means he has existed for all eternity.
When interpreting this verse in the context of the entire passage it is clear that Paul is teaching that Jesus is the God who created all things, and that all creation was created through him, sustained by him and for him.