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The Image of the Invisible God.
The word translated image is eikon from eiko = to resemble. Matt. 22: 20 uses it of
the image of Caesar stamped on a coin. The word implies much more than a resemblance
as may be seen in Heb. 10: 1:--
"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the
things."
Image, being opposed to shadow, implies the idea of substance and reality. In
Col. 1: 15 the reference to the image of God is followed by a statement concerning
Creation. In Col. 3: 10 the reference to the image is followed by a statement
concerning the new creation, a parallel with John 1: 1 and 18:--
"And having put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of
Him that created him."
Firstborn of every creature.
A.--How do you understand the title "firstborn of every creature"? If Christ be the first
of all creatures, He, however so great, could not be God.
B.--The word "firstborn" is prototokos. It is used in Luke 2: 7 of the birth of Christ as
Mary's firstborn. The word however contains in it more than birth. It emphasizes the
dignity and honour that went with primo-geniture, and some translate the passage "Prince
and Lord of all created things".
This idea of dignity and pre-eminence is found in the context of Col. 1: 15, "He is
before all things" (verse 17). The title "The firstborn of every creature" is balanced by
the words, "Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might
have the pre-eminence" (verse 18). Speaking of the resurrection, Psa. 2: 7 says, "Thou
art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee". This is parallel with the title "the firstborn
from the dead". Do you understand this passage to teach that on the resurrection morning
Christ began for the first time His existence?
A.--Certainly not, the question is absurd. He took up the life which He had previously
laid down for our sakes.
B.--Well then, by parity of reasoning, when He first appeared as the firstborn of every
creature, it does not mean that He then began His existence, but that He Who was God
manifested Himself in the Person of the Son, Who became the Chief, Lord and Heir of
the creation the followed. You will find this idea of pre-eminence in Rev. 1: 5:--
"The first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth."
Passages from the LXX where prototokos is used with the meaning "superior",
"greater", "most loved" or "exalted" are II Sam. 19: 43; Exod. 4: 22; Psa. 84: 27;
Jer. 31: 9. The nation of Israel is called the firstborn, but it would be difficult to prove