Colossians Chapter 1! The Church of the Firstborn!

Verse by Verse Study Guide for Witnessing the TRUE Jesus to the Jehovah's Witnesses, Trinitarian Christians, and Oneness Pentecostal Christians

Verse by Verse Study Guide on Colossians Chapter 1!

Here is a link to the Menu page with LINKS to the INDIVIDUAL Verse Studies on Colossians 1:15 through Colossians 22.

This seven part Verse Study Series is a MUST read for EVERY Christian no matter which church denomination you favor.

Verse by Verse Study Guide on Colossians Chapter 1!

This study on Colossians 1:1–15 is designed to build common ground with Jehovah’s Witnesses, challenging doctrinal assumptions with their understanding of this passage of Scripture.

This study will also reveal the deeper truth of Christ’s preeminence as the firstborn of God’s NEW creation AFTER the Cross and Resurrection, as opposed to the Jehovah’s Witnesses present understanding of the Son of God as being the first created creature in eternity past.

Here is a chart or diagram showing the steps that a Christian can follow when witnessing the TRUE Jesus to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Common Beliefs!

Alway start your witnessing to other with establishing what you have in common!

All Christians AGREE that there was a Reformation of Protestants to SOME of the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.

We all agree that there is a CONTROVERSY concerning the Doctrine of the Trinity!

🧭 Setting the Stage: Common Ground with JW Believers

Reformation Agreement: The early Reformers rightly protested many Roman Catholic doctrines—indulgences, papal authority, and unscriptural traditions. Jehovah’s Witnesses also reject these, which opens the door for respectful dialogue.
Trinity Disagreement: The Reformers retained the doctrine of the Trinity, which was not part of original apostolic teaching.
JW literature also rejects the Trinity, so this is another point of agreement. You can affirm that the Trinity is a man-made doctrine, not found in the earliest Greek manuscripts.

📜 The Comma Johanneum (1 John 5:7)

Ask: “Have you heard of the Comma Johanneum?” Explain briefly: This clause—“the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one”—was added to later Latin manuscripts and does not appear in the earliest Greek texts.

It was inserted to support Trinitarian theology, showing how Scripture was altered to fit doctrine.

🔍 Colossians 1:1–14 — Context Before Verse 15

Paul begins by affirming the faith and love of believers in Colossae.

These are NEW Creations, who are Created by Almighty God the FAITHER, in Christ, as opposed to being cosmic beings or pre-existent spirits, as the Jehovah’s Witnesses have been TAUGHT by their church TRADITION.

Here are some verses to emphasize and explain to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Verse 4: “Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus…” — Paul is speaking to believers, God’s NEW Creatures that He Himself Created in His now glorified Son of MAN, Jesus. There is nothing in the CONTEXT of Colossians Chapter 1 about any cosmic creation or pre-existing spirits that God supposedly sends down from heaven to be BORN as human beings.
Verses 12–14: Emphasize the Father’s role:
- “Giving thanks unto the Father…” — He qualifies us for inheritance. We are JOINT-HEIRS with Jesus, according to Romans 8:17-19.
- “Who hath delivered us…” — The Father rescues and transfers us into the kingdom of His dear Son.
- “In whom we have redemption…” — Through the blood of the HUMAN Son that the God of Jesus HIGHLY EXALTED and GLORIFIED AFTER the cross and resurrection, being the FIRSTBORN from the DEAD, according to the CONTEXT in Colossians 1:18, the BEGINNING of the BODY, the church, God’s NEW Creation! In other words, Jesus is the FIRST of the CHILDREN of the RESURRECTION that he spoke of in Luke 20:36.

This sets the stage: the Father is the Creator of new life, God’s NEW Creatures, that He Creates in Christ. Of which, Jesus is the FIRST of God’s NEW Creation, and NOT the first created being in the eternity past as the “LEADERS”, the Governing Body of the Jehovah’s Witnesses have wrongly TAUGHT their followers.

✨ Colossians 1:15–16 — The True Meaning

JW doctrine teaches that Jesus was the first created being and then created everything else. But the Greek text and context say otherwise:

Verse 15: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature…”
- Greek: πρωτότοκος πάσης κτίσεως — “firstborn of all creation”
- “Firstborn” (prototokos) implies preeminence, not chronology. It’s about rank, not origin. However, it does carry the meaning of time, as being the FIRST. The CONTEXT is about the Firstborn from the DEAD being made the HEAD of the CHURCH. Therefore, the JW understanding has been READ INTO the Scriptures.
- “Invisible” (aoratos) comes from G1 (first) and G3707 (capable of being seen). This supports: Jesus as the first image of the Creator God, who ALONE is the Father, who can now be seen and understood through Jesus.
- “Invisible” (aoratos) comes from G1 (first) and G3707 (capable of being seen). This ALSO supports: Jesus as being the FIRST human to SEE the Creator face to face. In other words, the Greek word (aoratos) does NOT dogmatically demand that the Creator is INVISIBLE and cannot be SEEN by ANY of His Creations. Surely, the angels can SEE God.
Verse 16: “For by him were all things created…”
- Greek word “ἐν” (en) is better rendered “in him” — not “by him” as a separate agent.
- Literal: “For IN him were THE ALL created…” — referring to the new creation, not the original Genesis creation.
- Ephesians 2:10 confirms: “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…”

This aligns with Revelation 3:14 — “the beginning of the creation of God” — meaning Jesus is the firstborn of the new spiritual creation, post-resurrection.

For you see, why would Jesus be called God’s FAITHFUL and TRUTHFUL WITNESS, if Revelation was intended to mean the ORIGINAL Creation of God in the eternity past.

🧠 Logical Contradictions in JW Doctrine

JW’s say Jesus is not God, yet claim He created the universe and angels.
But Scripture says:
- Mark 10:6: “God made them male and female.”
- Mark 13:19: “The creation which God created…”
- Revelation 3:14: Jesus is the beginning of God’s creation, and not the creator of it. Again, why would the Apostle John write that Jesus is the Faithful and Truthful WITNESS if the God intended meaning of this verse was to be understood as the original creation of the entire universe in the eternity past? John also writes in Revelation 1:5 that Jesus in the Faithful WITNESS, the first begotten or the FIRSTBORN from the DEAD, which agrees with the CONTEXT of Colossians 1:15 in verse 18

This contradiction reveals a doctrinal inconsistency. If Jesus created all things, He must be divine. If He’s not divine, He cannot be the Creator.

🔑 The Hook: Jesus as the First of the New Creation

You can say with confidence: “Jesus is the first of God’s new creation, glorified after the resurrection—not the first being created in eternity past.”

This interpretation honors the Father as Creator.
It aligns with Paul’s teaching in Colossians 1:1–14 speaking to BELIEVERS, the NEW Creatures that the Father Created IN Jesus ANOINTED.
It avoids the confusion of Trinitarian, Oneness Pentecostal, and the JW interpretations.

🛠 Practical Witnessing Tips

Focus on Scripture, not literature.
Lay aside ALL TRADITION!
Use Greek word studies to clarify meaning.
Build common ground before challenging doctrine. In other words, establish what beliefs you have in common.
Gain their trust by aligning with them on their exposing errors of other church denominations, such as the Roman Catholic Church doctrines.
Emphasize the Father’s work in creating new life in Christ.

Sources for some of the above information:

Alford’s Greek Testament Commentary on Colossians 1

BibleHub Greek Text Analysis of Colossians 1:15

The concordance in E Sword, which is free to download: e-Sword: Free Bible Study for the PC

For an IN-DEPTH series of Sound Biblical Bible Verse studies on Colossians 1:15-22, please click on the following link:

The Church of the Firstborn - Col. Verse Studies in the Book of Colossians by Chapter and Verse Number!

This link will take you to a menu page with links to individual Verse Studies on Colossians 1:15 through Colossians 1:22 that are on my website, The Church of the Firstborn.

Verse by Verse Study on Colossians Chapter 1!

This study on Colossians 1:1–15 is designed to build common ground with Jehovah’s Witnesses, challenging doctrinal assumptions with their understanding of this passage of Scripture.

Here is a chart or diagram showing the steps that a Christian can follow when witnessing the TRUE Jesus to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

🧭 Setting the Stage: Common Ground with JW Believers

Reformation Agreement: The early Reformers rightly protested many Roman Catholic doctrines—indulgences, papal authority, and unscriptural traditions. Jehovah’s Witnesses also reject these, which opens the door for respectful dialogue.
Trinity Disagreement: The Reformers retained the doctrine of the Trinity, which was not part of original apostolic teaching.
JW literature also rejects the Trinity, so this is another point of agreement. You can affirm that the Trinity is a man-made doctrine, not found in the earliest Greek manuscripts.

📜 The Comma Johanneum (1 John 5:7)

It was inserted to support Trinitarian theology, showing how Scripture was altered to fit doctrine.

🔍 Colossians 1:1–14 — Context Before Verse 15

Paul begins by affirming the faith and love of believers in Colossae.

Here are some verses to emphasize and explain to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Verse 4: “Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus…” — Paul is speaking to believers, God’s NEW Creatures that He Himself Created in His now glorified Son of MAN, Jesus. There is nothing in the CONTEXT of Colossians Chapter 1 about any cosmic creation or pre-existing spirits that God supposedly sends down from heaven to be BORN as human beings.
Verses 12–14: Emphasize the Father’s role:
- “Giving thanks unto the Father…” — He qualifies us for inheritance. We are JOINT-HEIRS with Jesus, according to Romans 8:17-19.
- “Who hath delivered us…” — The Father rescues and transfers us into the kingdom of His dear Son.
- “In whom we have redemption…” — Through the blood of the HUMAN Son that the God of Jesus HIGHLY EXALTED and GLORIFIED AFTER the cross and resurrection, being the FIRSTBORN from the DEAD, according to the CONTEXT in Colossians 1:18, the BEGINNING of the BODY, the church, God’s NEW Creation! In other words, Jesus is the FIRST of the CHILDREN of the RESURRECTION that he spoke of in Luke 20:36.

✨ Colossians 1:15–16 — The True Meaning

JW doctrine teaches that Jesus was the first created being and then created everything else. But the Greek text and context say otherwise:

Verse 15: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature…”
- Greek: πρωτότοκος πάσης κτίσεως — “firstborn of all creation”
- “Firstborn” (prototokos) implies preeminence, not chronology. It’s about rank, not origin. However, it does carry the meaning of time, as being the FIRST. The CONTEXT is about the Firstborn from the DEAD being made the HEAD of the CHURCH. Therefore, the JW understanding has been READ INTO the Scriptures.
- “Invisible” (aoratos) comes from G1 (first) and G3707 (capable of being seen). This supports: Jesus as the first image of the Creator God, who ALONE is the Father, who can now be seen and understood through Jesus.
- “Invisible” (aoratos) comes from G1 (first) and G3707 (capable of being seen). This ALSO supports: Jesus as being the FIRST human to SEE the Creator face to face. In other words, the Greek word (aoratos) does NOT dogmatically demand that the Creator is INVISIBLE and cannot be SEEN by ANY of His Creations. Surely, the angels can SEE God.
Verse 16: “For by him were all things created…”
- Greek word “ἐν” (en) is better rendered “in him” — not “by him” as a separate agent.
- Literal: “For IN him were THE ALL created…” — referring to the new creation, not the original Genesis creation.
- Ephesians 2:10 confirms: “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…”

This aligns with Revelation 3:14 — “the beginning of the creation of God” — meaning Jesus is the firstborn of the new spiritual creation, post-resurrection.

For you see, why would Jesus be called God’s FAITHFUL and TRUTHFUL WITNESS, if Revelation was intended to mean the ORIGINAL Creation of God in the eternity past.

🧠 Logical Contradictions in JW Doctrine

JW’s say Jesus is not God, yet claim He created the universe and angels.
But Scripture says:
- Mark 10:6: “God made them male and female.”
- Mark 13:19: “The creation which God created…”
- Revelation 3:14: Jesus is the beginning of God’s creation, and not the creator of it. Again, why would the Apostle John write that Jesus is the Faithful and Truthful WITNESS if the God intended meaning of this verse was to be understood as the original creation of the entire universe in the eternity past? John also writes in Revelation 1:5 that Jesus in the Faithful WITNESS, the first begotten or the FIRSTBORN from the DEAD, which agrees with the CONTEXT of Colossians 1:15 in verse 18

This contradiction reveals a doctrinal inconsistency. If Jesus created all things, He must be divine. If He’s not divine, He cannot be the Creator.

🔑 The Hook: Jesus as the First of the New Creation

You can say with confidence: “Jesus is the first of God’s new creation, glorified after the resurrection—not the first being created in eternity past.”

This interpretation honors the Father as Creator.
It aligns with Paul’s teaching in Colossians 1:1–14 speaking to BELIEVERS, the NEW Creatures that the Father Created IN Jesus ANOINTED.
It avoids the confusion of Trinitarian, Oneness Pentecostal, and the JW interpretations.

🛠 Practical Witnessing Tips

Focus on Scripture, not literature.
Lay aside ALL TRADITION!
Use Greek word studies to clarify meaning.
Build common ground before challenging doctrine. In other words, establish what beliefs you have in common.
Gain their trust by aligning with them on their exposing errors of other church denominations, such as the Roman Catholic Church doctrines.
Emphasize the Father’s work in creating new life in Christ.

Sources for some of the above information:

Alford’s Greek Testament Commentary on Colossians 1

BibleHub Greek Text Analysis of Colossians 1:15

The concordance in E Sword, which is free to download: e-Sword: Free Bible Study for the PC

For an IN-DEPTH series of Sound Biblical Bible Verse studies on Colossians 1:15-22, please click on the following link:

The Church of the Firstborn - Col. Verse Studies in the Book of Colossians by Chapter and Verse Number!

This link will take you to a menu page with links to individual Verse Studies on Colossians 1:15 through Colossians 1:22 that are on my website, The Church of the Firstborn.

This study on Colossians 1:1–15 is designed to build common ground with Jehovah’s Witnesses, challenging doctrinal assumptions with their understanding of this passage of Scripture.

Here is a chart or diagram showing the steps that a Christian can follow when witnessing the TRUE Jesus to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

🧭 Setting the Stage: Common Ground with JW Believers

Reformation Agreement: The early Reformers rightly protested many Roman Catholic doctrines—indulgences, papal authority, and unscriptural traditions. Jehovah’s Witnesses also reject these, which opens the door for respectful dialogue.
Trinity Disagreement: The Reformers retained the doctrine of the Trinity, which was not part of original apostolic teaching.
JW literature also rejects the Trinity, so this is another point of agreement. You can affirm that the Trinity is a man-made doctrine, not found in the earliest Greek manuscripts.

📜 The Comma Johanneum (1 John 5:7)

It was inserted to support Trinitarian theology, showing how Scripture was altered to fit doctrine.

🔍 Colossians 1:1–14 — Context Before Verse 15

Paul begins by affirming the faith and love of believers in Colossae.

Here are some verses to emphasize and explain to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Verse 4: “Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus…” — Paul is speaking to believers, God’s NEW Creatures that He Himself Created in His now glorified Son of MAN, Jesus. There is nothing in the CONTEXT of Colossians Chapter 1 about any cosmic creation or pre-existing spirits that God supposedly sends down from heaven to be BORN as human beings.
Verses 12–14: Emphasize the Father’s role:
- “Giving thanks unto the Father…” — He qualifies us for inheritance. We are JOINT-HEIRS with Jesus, according to Romans 8:17-19.
- “Who hath delivered us…” — The Father rescues and transfers us into the kingdom of His dear Son.
- “In whom we have redemption…” — Through the blood of the HUMAN Son that the God of Jesus HIGHLY EXALTED and GLORIFIED AFTER the cross and resurrection, being the FIRSTBORN from the DEAD, according to the CONTEXT in Colossians 1:18, the BEGINNING of the BODY, the church, God’s NEW Creation! In other words, Jesus is the FIRST of the CHILDREN of the RESURRECTION that he spoke of in Luke 20:36.

✨ Colossians 1:15–16 — The True Meaning

JW doctrine teaches that Jesus was the first created being and then created everything else. But the Greek text and context say otherwise:

Verse 15: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature…”
- Greek: πρωτότοκος πάσης κτίσεως — “firstborn of all creation”
- “Firstborn” (prototokos) implies preeminence, not chronology. It’s about rank, not origin. However, it does carry the meaning of time, as being the FIRST. The CONTEXT is about the Firstborn from the DEAD being made the HEAD of the CHURCH. Therefore, the JW understanding has been READ INTO the Scriptures.
- “Invisible” (aoratos) comes from G1 (first) and G3707 (capable of being seen). This supports: Jesus as the first image of the Creator God, who ALONE is the Father, who can now be seen and understood through Jesus.
- “Invisible” (aoratos) comes from G1 (first) and G3707 (capable of being seen). This ALSO supports: Jesus as being the FIRST human to SEE the Creator face to face. In other words, the Greek word (aoratos) does NOT dogmatically demand that the Creator is INVISIBLE and cannot be SEEN by ANY of His Creations. Surely, the angels can SEE God.
Verse 16: “For by him were all things created…”
- Greek word “ἐν” (en) is better rendered “in him” — not “by him” as a separate agent.
- Literal: “For IN him were THE ALL created…” — referring to the new creation, not the original Genesis creation.
- Ephesians 2:10 confirms: “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…”

This aligns with Revelation 3:14 — “the beginning of the creation of God” — meaning Jesus is the firstborn of the new spiritual creation, post-resurrection.

For you see, why would Jesus be called God’s FAITHFUL and TRUTHFUL WITNESS, if Revelation was intended to mean the ORIGINAL Creation of God in the eternity past.

🧠 Logical Contradictions in JW Doctrine

JW’s say Jesus is not God, yet claim He created the universe and angels.
But Scripture says:
- Mark 10:6: “God made them male and female.”
- Mark 13:19: “The creation which God created…”
- Revelation 3:14: Jesus is the beginning of God’s creation, and not the creator of it. Again, why would the Apostle John write that Jesus is the Faithful and Truthful WITNESS if the God intended meaning of this verse was to be understood as the original creation of the entire universe in the eternity past? John also writes in Revelation 1:5 that Jesus in the Faithful WITNESS, the first begotten or the FIRSTBORN from the DEAD, which agrees with the CONTEXT of Colossians 1:15 in verse 18

This contradiction reveals a doctrinal inconsistency. If Jesus created all things, He must be divine. If He’s not divine, He cannot be the Creator.

🔑 The Hook: Jesus as the First of the New Creation

You can say with confidence: “Jesus is the first of God’s new creation, glorified after the resurrection—not the first being created in eternity past.”

This interpretation honors the Father as Creator.
It aligns with Paul’s teaching in Colossians 1:1–14 speaking to BELIEVERS, the NEW Creatures that the Father Created IN Jesus ANOINTED.
It avoids the confusion of Trinitarian, Oneness Pentecostal, and the JW interpretations.

🛠 Practical Witnessing Tips

Focus on Scripture, not literature.
Lay aside ALL TRADITION!
Use Greek word studies to clarify meaning.
Build common ground before challenging doctrine. In other words, establish what beliefs you have in common.
Gain their trust by aligning with them on their exposing errors of other church denominations, such as the Roman Catholic Church doctrines.
Emphasize the Father’s work in creating new life in Christ.

Sources for some of the above information:

Alford’s Greek Testament Commentary on Colossians 1

BibleHub Greek Text Analysis of Colossians 1:15

The concordance in E Sword, which is free to download: e-Sword: Free Bible Study for the PC

For an IN-DEPTH series of Sound Biblical Bible Verse studies on Colossians 1:15-22, please click on the following link:

The Church of the Firstborn - Col. Verse Studies in the Book of Colossians by Chapter and Verse Number!

This link will take you to a menu page with links to individual Verse Studies on Colossians 1:15 through Colossians 1:22 that are on my website, The Church of the Firstborn.

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