Claim 6 of 15 · Case 12 · Jehovah’s Witnesses
The word translated “firstborn” in Colossians 1:15 is used in Scripture for rank and heirship, so it does not by itself prove that Jesus was created.
One claim from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.
This is a genuinely debated point, so it should be argued from context, not asserted. Witnesses read “firstborn of all creation” to mean Jesus was the first created being. The Greek word, prototokos, is used elsewhere for status rather than birth order, and the surrounding verses place Jesus over creation as its maker. Hold this one carefully, since the word can carry a time sense too.
The full case is made in The Trinity, claim 5 (the New Testament credits Jesus with creating everything); this claim keeps only what is specific to this audience.
Backed by 2 pieces of evidence
Old Testament uses of “firstborn” for rank
The word already carries a rank sense in the Bible, and the next verses say all things were created through Jesus and that he is before all things, placing him above creation rather than inside it.
The debate over prototokos, stated fairly
Presenting the strongest opposing view first keeps this honest, and it steers the conversation toward verses 16 and 17, where the case is strongest, instead of a word-versus-word standoff.