The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1301-A, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 3."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1976. All Rights Reserved.

Question

Answer

The question is regarding the interpretation of Colossians 1:15, a very important passage and one that is attacked continuously by cults and various “isms.” Colossians 1:15. Now, in reference here to Christ, it says, “Who is the image of the invisible God”—now, here comes the problem part to some people—“the firstborn of all creation.” Now, some would say that because Christ is called the “firstborn of all creation,” that He was the first one created; therefore, He is a created being. Therefore, He is less than God, and the cults love to come to this verse to prove that.

Well, let’s look at what it says. First of all, it calls Christ “the image of the invisible God.” Notice it doesn’t say “Christ is in the image of the invisible God;” it says “He is the image.” He is the image. If you want a clear understanding of that, all you have to do is go to Colossians 2:9 and Paul makes it very clear what he means: “for in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead in a body.” When it says He is the image of God, it means He is God in a body.

The word “image”—“eikon”—means “a precise copy or a replica.” Today it would be the equal of a photograph. Jesus is the “eikonion” (sp.); He is the perfect portrait of God. He is God made visible in a portrait. He is the manifestation of God. In verse 19, it says, “It pleased the Father that in him should all”—‘pleroma’—“all fullness dwell.” What fullness? The fullness of the Godhead (2:9). He is the manifestation in a visible picture, in a physical body, of all that God is.

Now, it also says, “He is the firstborn of all creation.” Now, this word “prototokos” has been so maligned and so misunderstood. What does it mean that He is the firstborn? People, it has nothing to do with time! It has only to do with position. It has nothing to do with origin! It has only to do with position. The “prototokos” was the “primary one.” The primary one. If you would rather translate it that way in your Bible, it is proper.

For example, look at verse 18: “He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning”—now watch—“the firstborn from the dead.” Now, let me ask you a question. Was Jesus, in time, the first person raised from the dead? No. There were some in the Old Testament. There were some previously in the New Testament that Christ himself raised from the dead. He is not the first “in time” from the dead. He is, however, of all of those who have ever been resurrected, the primary one. Do you see? That’s what it means. So when you go back to chapter 1:15, it is not saying the first one created was Christ; he is saying, of all of God’s total creation, of all that there is in God’s universe, the primary being is Christ. He is the Son who receives the inheritance rights. His is the place of privilege. His is the honor. He is the Father’s heir, the head of God’s household.

Now, this also ties in with another scripture in Revelation 3:14: “And unto the angel of the church—the church of the Laodiceans write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness,”—now watch—“the beginning of the creation of God.” Now here again, the word translated “beginning” is not really a word that can always or must always mean “beginning.” It is the word “arche.” The English here is terribly ambiguous. “Arche” means “first cause.” It sometimes could be translated “the author” or “the pioneer” or “the generating power.” “The first cause”—read it that way. He is the first cause of the creation of God.

That is not saying He was created by God; that is saying He is the Creator. When Jesus is seen in his incarnation as the Son, He is the primary one of all of God’s creation. When He is seen here in Revelation 3:14, He is the cause of creation. John puts it clearly in John 1, “Without him was not anything made that was made.” He is the source of all creation and in his incarnation was the supreme creature God ever made. And that refers, of course, to his physical body.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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