Colossians 1:15

Here’s a script of a hypothetical conversation between a Jehovah’s witness (JW) and a Catholic (C) regarding Colossians 1:15 and the nature of Jesus Christ.

JW: As it says in Colossians 1:15, Jesus is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” This clearly shows that Jesus was created by God and is not God himself.

C: I see why you might interpret it that way, but let’s look more closely at what “firstborn” means in this context. In biblical language, “firstborn” often signifies preeminence or priority in rank, not necessarily being the first created. For instance, Psalm 89:27 refers to David as “the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth,” though David was neither the first king of Israel nor the firstborn in his family.

JW: But doesn’t “firstborn of all creation” imply that Jesus was part of creation?

C: If we read further in Colossians 1, verses 16 and 17 say, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” This doesn’t describe someone who is part of creation but rather the agent of all creation, indicating Jesus’ divinity and eternal existence.

JW: How do you reconcile this with the idea of the Trinity if Jesus is said to be God’s image?

C: Great question. Being “the image of the invisible God” emphasizes Jesus as the perfect revelation of God the Father. In John 14:9, Jesus says, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” The term “image” here signifies not a separation but a unity of nature with God the Father, as part of the Holy Trinity. This unity doesn’t diminish the Father’s divinity but shows how Jesus perfectly reflects and reveals the Father to us.

JW: I’ve always thought the Trinity concept wasn’t scriptural.

C: I understand, but the Trinity is about the relationship and unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For instance, Matthew 28:19 instructs us to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” indicating a co-equal and co-eternal relationship. It’s a mystery, certainly, but one that’s deeply rooted in Scripture and the early Church’s understanding of God’s nature.

JW: This gives me a lot to think about. I appreciate your perspective.

C: Thank you for this conversation. I believe it’s important to explore these questions deeply and openly. If you have any more questions or would like to discuss further, I’m here.

This script is a simplified representation and such conversations can be more complex, depending on individual beliefs and knowledge of the Scripture.