Prototokos

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" (Col. 1:15, NKJV)

 There are various interpretations as to the meaning of this passage; three will be discussed here based on the definition of “firstborn.” The first interpretation, held by Jehovah’s Witnesses, is that Jesus is, “a god but not fully God.”[1] They believe Christ was the first created being and then all other created beings were created by Him.[2] This view was first made popular by Arius and it is important to note that at the Council of Nicaea, this view was rejected as heresy and blasphemy.[3] Mormons, on the other hand, believe that Christ was born to Father God and one of His wives. Again, this denies Christ’s existence from eternity past and makes Him lesser than the Father. The problem seems to be with the interpretation of the word prototokos, the Greek word translated “firstborn.”   

 Erwin Lutzer defines prototokos as first bearer.[4] He writes, “Even if the word be translated firstborn, this would not imply that Christ was the first being to be created. Though Jacob was younger than his brother, Esau, Jacob was the firstborn. It is not a matter of time but status that determines who the firstborn is. Christ is the preeminent One.”[5] To suggest that Christ is a “created being,” rather than fully God, limits His atoning power. As Lutzer notes, “But could salvation have been brought about if God had delegated the suffering to one of his creatures? No.”[6]

A sacrifice worthy of God’s acceptance for the redemption of fallen man had to be perfect, holy, and without blemish. As Lutzer explains, “Think of it this way: God needed a ransom so that man might be forgiven, but only he could meet his own demands.”[7]

Bibliography

Boyd, Gregory A., Paul R. Eddy. Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in 

 Evangelical Theology, 2^nd Edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009.

Lutzer, Erwin. The Doctrines That Divide: A Fresh Look at the Historic Doctrines That 

 Separate Christians. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1998. 

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 [1]. Erwin Lutzer, The Doctrines That Divide: A Fresh Look at the Historic Doctrines That Separate Christians, (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1998), 28. 

 [2]. Ibid., 28.

 [3]. Ibid., 28-30.

 [4]. Ibid., 32.

 [5]. Ibid., 32.

 [6]. Ibid., 33.

 [7]. Ibid., 33.