Colossians 1: 15 – Firstborn of every creature (2)

Who is the image of the invisible God, firstborn of every creature, for in Him is all created…

We found that the term ‘firstborn’ refers not so much to order, but to rank in birth. We read the oracle of Solomon: “I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth” (Psalm 89:27). Solomon was David’s tenth son, yet he was made the firstborn. The ‘firstborn’ enjoys the highest position in inheritance law. Now, the Son of God is “the firstborn of every creature” and therefore the highest of all the kings of the earth.

This position of absolute preeminence over every creature is a reminder of Adam, who was once entrusted with dominion over everything on earth (Gen. 1:26). Adam was created “in God’s image” as the crowning glory of creation (Genesis 1 translated more literally). When God formed Adam, He had “the last Adam” in mind. That is why Paul can also write “for in Him all things were created…”. The preposition in indicates the atmosphere in which something takes place. Well, all of creation is in the domain of the “image of God.” He is the first in rank of every creature and therefore He will successfully fulfill the assignment to rule over all things. Definitively!

Delen: