Critics often dispense with Colossians 1:15-17 by arguing that Paul was not arguing that Jesus was a particular preexistent being, but was rather saying that wisdom was "now most fully expressed in Jesus" versus previous manifestations.

If this is so then it seems odd that the language does not express that Jesus became these things -- the image of God, etc. -- versus that he is, was, and always was, as the language implies. It is hard to swallow that Paul (or the creed he quotes) made these numerous allusions to pre-existent Wisdom and yet did not make this very important distinction clear.

Furthermore, what "fuller expression" could there be than actuality? To assume that borrowing the language was not intended to transmit a truth about the identity of Jesus fails to explain how otherwise Paul could have written in order to directly equate Jesus with Wisdom.

> Colossians 1:15-18 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

This passage is full of allusions to the Wisdom literature, identifying Jesus with God's eternal Wisdom. Note the following parallels:

> Colossians 1:15a -- He is the image of the invisible God...

> Wisdom of Solomon 7:26 -- (Wisdom is) a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.

> Colossians 1:15b -- ...the firstborn over all creation.

Philo refers to Wisdom as the 'firstborn son' and offspring of God.

> Colossians 1:16a -- ...by him all things were created..

> Wisdom of Solomon 1:14 -- 'for he created all things that they might exist'

Sirach 1:4 and Philo refer to Wisdom as the 'master workman' of creation.

> Colossians 1:17b -- He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

> Wisdom of Solomon 1:7 -- ...that which holds all things together knows what is said...

The Jehovah’s Witness organization has altered the biblical text to suit to its theological presupposition that Jesus is a created thing. 1 ”Jehovah’s first creation was his ‘only-begotten Son’ . . . was used by Jehovah in creating all other things,” Aid to Bible Understanding , p. 390-391. This is why the new world translation adds the word “other” four times in Col. 1:16-17 even though it is not in the Greek text. There exists two Greek words for “other”: allos which means another of the same kind and heteros which means another of a different kind. Paul could have used either word here if he wanted to show that Jesus was “another” created thing, but he did not. There is no linguistic reason at all to insert this word here four times – unless you are trying support the presupposition that Jesus is not God.

Col. 1:16-17, “because by means of him all [ other ] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [ other ] things have been created through him and for him. 17 Also, he is before all [ other ] things and by means of him all [ other ] things were made to exists.” The New World Translation, NWT, – Emphasis added

Below is a copy out of the Jehovah’s Witness’ Kingdom Interlinear. This book has the Greek words and their exact English translation underneath each word. The right-hand column is how the New World Translation renders the Greek into the English. I have added red squares is in order to demonstrate the additions into the English text that are not supported in the Greek.

In the New World Translation, you will notice that the word “other” is in brackets. This is an admission that the words are not in the original text. Of course, the Watchtower Organization claims that the insertion of the word “other” four times is necessary to clarify the text. It isn’t. If anything, it misleads the reader. Nevertheless, if you have the opportunity, ask a Jehovah’s Witness to read the text without saying the word “other.” Usually, he will have difficulty. Also, ask him what he thinks the text is saying without the word “other” added in. It will be an interesting discussion.

Basically, Jehovah’s Witness theology maintains that God created Jesus and then Jesus created all other things.

Isaiah, 44:24, “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, ‘I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself, and spreading out the earth all alone.'”

If the Jehovah’s Witness is correct, then how is it possible for the LORD (YHWH or Jehovah) to stretch out the heavens by Himself, all alone (not angels with Him), and yet Jesus “the first created thing” be the one who did it? They can’t both be true to the Jehovah’s Witness.

The truth is that Jehovah is the name of God. God is a Trinity; and, therefore Jesus can be the creator of all things; and YHWH can do it by himself since God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This is a very simple and direct demonstration in Scripture that Jesus is the Lord God in flesh. If He is not, then the Jehovah’s Witnesses have a biblical contradiction on their hands.

References [ + ]

References 1 ↑ ”Jehovah’s first creation was his ‘only-begotten Son’ . . . was used by Jehovah in creating all other things,” Aid to Bible Understanding , p. 390-391.