Was Jesus Created? (Colossians 1:15)

One argument that Arians use to show that Jesus was created is in Colossians 1:15: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation," (Colossians 1:15 NASB1995). Paul tells us that Jesus is the "firstborn", but this does not show that Jesus was created; rather, this argument is a misunderstanding of Hebraic customs.

As Benson explains: "But it is proper to observe, that πρωτοτοκος (or prototokos), the firstborn, or first-begotten, in this passage, may signify the heir, or Lord: of the whole creation. For, anciently, the firstborn was entitled to possess his father’s estate, 2 Chronicles 21:3. The firstborn was likewise lord of his brethren, who were all his servants. This appears from what Isaac said to Esau, after he had bestowed the rights of primogeniture on Jacob, Genesis 27:37. Hence, among the Hebrews and other nations, firstborn, heir, and lord, were synonymous terms. See Galatians 4:1. According to this interpretation of the terms firstborn and heir, the apostle’s reasoning is perfectly just: for the creation of all things, (Colossians 1:16,) and the making of the world, (Hebrews 1:3,) through the Son, is a direct proof that he is the firstborn, heir, or Lord of the whole," (Benson). Paul is referencing the Hebrew custom of being a heir, one who has all that the Father has.

"All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you," (John 16:15 NASB1995). Jesus possesses all that the Father has as Jesus is the firstborn, a "hier" to the Father.