What I mean by asking what a verse of Scripture TRULY MEANS is that I want to know the God INTENDED meaning of that verse when it is “correctly” interpreted in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of Almighty God.
So, I teach my readers and seekers of the truth to always begin reading and studying the Bible by opening in prayer. And also, when reading the Bible studies written by me, or by anyone else, always consider the WHOLE matter. In other words, before you draw any conclusions concerning what a verse of Scripture actually means, truly consider the rest of God’s word. Let us begin this study in God’s word by reading the verse in question, Colossians 1:15, out of its context. I will emphasize some words which we will COMPARE Scripture with Scripture to see how those words are understood throughout the Bible.
Colossians 1:15.
“Who is the IMAGE of the invisible God, the FIRSTBORN of every CREATURE:”
Now, all Christians know, understand, and agree that we are made in the IMAGE of the invisible God, according to Genesis 1:26,27. And, according to Romans 8:29, Almighty God is conforming us into the IMAGE of His Son, Jesus, who is the FIRSTBORN among many BRETHREN. Let us go ahead and read that verse of Scripture so that you can see that Jesus is the FIRST human being who was BORN of God for the purpose of God MANY humans being BORN of God to become the BRETHREN of Jesus.
Romans 8:29.
“For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the IMAGE of His Son, THAT he might be the FIRSTBORN among many BRETHREN.”
So then, the true sound Biblical meaning of the word “FIRSTBORN” means the FIRST human who was BORN of every CREATURE. In other words, the phrase “the FIRSTBORN of every CREATURE” means the first human being who was BORN of God to become God’s NEW CREATION of righteous creatures.
Again, let us compare Scripture with Scripture to see if we are correctly interpreting the phrase, “the firstborn of every CREATURE”. In other words, how is the word “CREATURE” used and understood throughout the Bible, but more specifically, what does the word “creature’ mean in the context of being BORN of God? Let us read the CONTEXT of the verse that we just read in Romans 8:29 which clearly teaches us in simplicity that Jesus is the firstborn among many BRETHREN.
Please read Romans 8:14-29.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and JOINT-HEIRS WITH Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19. For the earnest expectation of the CREATURE waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20. For the CREATURE was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who has subjected the same in hope,
21. Because the CREATURE itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.
23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our BODY.
24. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?
25. But if we hope for that which we do not see, then we wait for it with patience.
26. Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27. And He that searches the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.
29. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the IMAGE of His Son, THAT he might be the FIRSTBORN among many BRETHREN.”
So then, all human beings are CREATURES or the CREATION of God. But the Bible teaches us that we must be BORN AGAIN or be BORN of God to become the SONS of God. In other words, there is the “old” creature dead in their sin and there is the NEW CREATURES created by God in His Son Jesus Christ.
Please read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.
“For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for ALL, then were all dead:
15. And that he died for ALL, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16. Wherefore, henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the FLESH, yet NOW henceforth know we him NO MORE. (Speaking of after the cross and resurrection we no longer know the Son of MAN, Jesus, as being mortal FLESH. But rather, NOW we know Jesus as the highly exalted GLORIED Son of God whom God MADE both Lord and Christ after the cross and resurrection, according to Acts 2:36)
17. Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things have passed away; behold, ALL things have become new. (The word “things” is NOT in the original text. And the word “ALL” is referring to ALL of the NEW CREATURES who are created in Jesus Christ by Almighty God)
18. And ALL things are of God, (Speaking of ALL who are BORN of God to become God’s NEW CREATURES) who has reconciled us (The ALL who BELIEVE) to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God.
21. For He has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; THAT we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
So then, the PURPOSE of the Son of MAN, Jesus, laying down his own life of his own will to suffer and die on the cross is SO THAT whosoever BELIEVES in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, might be made NEW CREATURES in the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Almighty God.
Now let us go back and read the CONTEXT of Colossians 1:15 so that you can see the TRUE sound Biblical meaning when it is “correctly” interpreted in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of Almighty God.
Colossians 1:12-23.
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (Remember that God has made us JOINT-HEIRS WITH Jesus Christ, according to)
13. Who (Speaking of Almighty God, the Father) has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son:
14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Please notice that the Greek word “en”, Strong’s number 1722, is translated as “in” whom. In other words, in Jesus we have redemption through his blood)
15. 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, (Or more correctly translated, “for in him were the ALL of every NEW CREATURE created, those in heaven, and those on the earth”) visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: ALL things were created by him, and for him: (Or more correctly translated, “the ALL of whosoever believe were created because of him and into him”)
17. And he is before ALL things, and by him ALL things consist. (Or more correctly translated, “and he is in front of or prior to the ALL of EVERY CREATURE” by being the FIRSTBORN from the DEAD, according to the CONTEXT in the very next verse of Scripture)
18. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the BEGINNING, the FIRSTBORN from the DEAD; THAT (Or so THAT) in ALL things he might have the preeminence. (Or more correctly translated, Jesus is the BEGINNING of God’s NEW CREATION, the FIRST human BEGOTTEN from the DEAD and given eternal life so that in the ALL or whosoever BELIEVES he might be FIRST place in their life to be their Lord)
19. For it PLEASED the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; (Speaking of the obedience of His human Son, Jesus, to suffer and die on the cross for the sins of the world, it PLEASE Almighty God the Father to HIGHLY EXALT him and make him Lord of the Sabbath)
20. And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by (Or through) him to reconcile ALL things unto Himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Or more correctly translated, “through or for the sake of Jesus, God reconciled the ALL who BELIEVE unto Himself; I say for the sake of Jesus whether THEY are upon the earth or whether THEY are in heaven”. For you see, the Greek word translated as things means “THE” or THE on earth and in heaven. In other words, those on the earth who believe and those in heaven who died in Jesus Christ)
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled
22. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight:
23. If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every CREATURE which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”
So then, the God INTENDED meaning of Colossians 1:15 is that the HUMAN Son of MAN, Jesus was made in the EXPRESS IMAGE of his God and Father after the cross and resurrection to become the FIRSTBORN of every NEW CREATURE. For you see, the very context in verse 18 clearly teaches us that Jesus is the BEGINNING of the BODY, the church by becoming the FIRSTBORN from the DEAD.
In other words, the Christians who “interpret” the phrase, “the firstborn of EVERY creature” to mean that Jesus pre-existed in the eternity past as the Creator of ALL THINGS have failed to truly consider the WHOLE word of Almighty God.
The very word CREATURE teaches us in simplicity that Jesus is a CREATED being who was created BY Almighty God the Father. And all through the Bible we can clearly see that Jesus is the WORKMANSHIP of his God and Father.
Thanks for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus. So, for ALL of the studies on the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus, please click on the subject heading >>>D-0. THE BIBLICAL UNITARIAN VIEW of JESUS!<<<
And for the SUBJECT on the true foundation of the church, please click on the subject heading >>>C-0. THE TRUE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH!<<< This way you can just send ONE link to those who you want to share the TRUE sound Biblical FOUNDATIONAL teachings of the church that Jesus and his Apostles taught in the first century church.
Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Brother Mark.
My heartfelt prayer is that all Christians RETURN to the TRUE FOUNDATION of the church that is taught by the very Apostles of Jesus in the first century. So let us all come into the UNITY of the faith and return to what Jesus and his Apostles taught us in SIMPLICITY in the New Testament.
To learn more TRUTH, then please return to
VERSES USED TO TEACH THAT JESUS PREEXISTED!
To me, the best way to know the ONE true God in ONE person is to know who Jesus TRULY is according to the WHOLE word of Almighty God. So please read ALL of the studies under the heading >>>N-0. WHO is JESUS ACCORDING to the BIBLE?<<< and you will see that the Bible itself teaches us that Jesus was CREATED by his God and Father. And if you have any questions related to the correct meaning of certain verses of Scripture on this subject of who Jesus is please read all the studies under the two headings >>>U-0. VERSES used for THE TRINITY!<<< and >>>V-0. VERSES used to TEACH that Jesus PRE-EXISTED!<<< These two headings have ALL of the studies that I have on who Jesus truly is according to what the Bible itself teaches us in simplicity. I compiled these three headings to make it easy for my readers to send just one, two, or three links to those you desire to help understand what the Bible itself teaches concerning who Jesus is in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. If you have any questions, please feel free to write to me.
My contact email is MarkatAMatterOfTruth@Gmail .com.
Thanks again for reading and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the truth of the whole word of Almighty God.
Your Brother in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Brother Mark.
RETURN to HOMEPAGE at
The end.
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Always be faithful to share, to preach, and to teach the whole gospel of Jesus Christ!