Well, we all know that Jesus is the Son of God, God reincarnate, our Lord and Savior and the son of Mary and Joseph. I came accross this passage in Colosians that gave even more information on exactly who Jesus is. Let’s look at it.
Colossians 1:15-20 (ESVST)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Jesus is the image of the invisible God. The word image is from a Greek word “eikon” which can also mean to be like, to resemble or in the appearance of. So, Jesus is the resemblance, the likeness or the appearance of the invisible God. Jesus is the representation of the invisible God. In Jesus we see God.
Jesus is the firstborn of all creation. Now this verse has been used by some others, to indicate that Jesus was created by God and therefore not God. This is with respect not true as Jesus cannot both be the created and the creator. In verse 16 below, the verse says all things were created through him and for him. Now, if all things were created through him, how can he also be the creator. Verse 17 says that he is preeminent, meaning that he is first above all things. So, therefore, the correct translation of this verse would then be that Jesus existed before all creation. Jesus is not the first creation of God but rather he existed before all creation.
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him.
All things were created through Jesus and for Jesus. Things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, all governments and authorities. All these were created through him and for him. By through, it means, by means of, with or a channel through which. So, all things were created by means of Jesus, with Jesus and with Jesus as a channel.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Jesus is before all things, he existed before all things. Before all things were created, he already existed. It is through him that all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Jesus is also the head of the body or the church. He is the beginning and the first born from the dead so that in everything he might be preeminent. He is the beginning, the alpha. He was there before all things. He started all things. The same word here firstborn is used. Jesus is the firstborn of the dead. Does it mean he was the first creation of the dead? No! It simply means that he was the first one to rise from the dead. So that even there he might be the first. So clearly if firstborn here does not mean that he was created by the dead first, then firstborn of creation does not necessarily mean that he was created first.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
In Jesus, the fullness of God was pleased to dwell or to enter and remain in. Through Jesus God reconciled all things to himself. He made peace between God and all things by dying on the cross.