If Jesus is the 'firstborn of all creation,' was He created?
No. 'Firstborn' (Greek prototokos) is a title of rank and heirship, not a birth certificate. David was appointed firstborn over his older brothers, Israel and Ephraim are called God's firstborn, and Colossians itself says all things were created through Jesus and for Him. The firstborn of all creation is the One to whom creation belongs, not its earliest creature.
This question arose from studying Does the Bible teach there are other gods? and Who are the 'gods' (elohim) of Psalm 82?.
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What the Scripture says
Firstborn is about rank and inheritance, not chronology
In Scripture the firstborn is the heir, the one given preeminence, whatever his actual birth order. God says of David: 'I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.' But David was Jesse's youngest, left in the field with the sheep. When the Greek Old Testament calls David prototokos here, no one imagines it means he was born first. It means he was raised to the highest rank.
I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.
Nations and tribes are called firstborn too
God tells Pharaoh, 'Israel is my son, my firstborn,' though Israel was hardly the oldest nation on earth. Through Jeremiah He says, 'Ephraim is my firstborn,' though Ephraim was Joseph's younger son. And Jacob deliberately transfers the firstborn blessing from Manasseh to Ephraim. The word simply cannot mean 'the first one born' wherever Scripture uses it, so it need not mean that in Colossians either.
You shall tell Pharaoh, ‘Thus says Yahweh, Israel is my son, my firstborn,
They shall come with weeping; and with petitions will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, will be mine.
Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near to him. Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
Paul's own context rules out a created Jesus
Whatever prototokos means, Paul tells us himself in the next verse: 'by him all things were created... all things have been created through him, and for him,' and 'he is before all things, and in him all things are held together.' A creature cannot be the agent, goal, and sustainer of all creation including himself. If Jesus were part of creation, 'all things' would have to exclude Him, which is exactly what Paul refuses to do.
For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Firstborn from the dead: the pattern of the title
Two verses later Paul calls Jesus 'the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.' There the meaning is unmistakable: not the first person ever to rise, but the One whose resurrection ranks above all others and opens the way for ours. The title consistently marks supremacy: 'firstborn among many brothers,' 'firstborn of the dead,' 'firstborn of all creation.'
He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood;
God commands worship of the firstborn
Hebrews applies Psalm 89's firstborn title to Jesus and draws the obvious conclusion: 'When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, Let all the angels of God worship him,' and then quotes the Father speaking to the Son: 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.' Scripture forbids worshipping any creature, even a glorious one, yet commands worship of the firstborn. Only one conclusion fits: the firstborn of all creation is God the Son, uncreated and eternal.
When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.”
But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.
Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me,Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
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who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
You shall tell Pharaoh, ‘Thus says Yahweh, Israel is my son, my firstborn,
He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.”
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