The use of the word firstborn in Colossians has sometimes created controversy (Col. 1:15). The Greek word prototokos actually means priority and the verse shows that Jesus has preeminence above all. Furthermore, it shows that Christ is the Lord over creation. The idea of the firstborn can be expressed in the relationship between Abraham and his sons (Gen. 21:10). While Ishmael was the physically born first, he was not identified as the firstborn because Isaac had the priority of rights. Erwin Lutzer says Jacob was younger than Esau was, but is called firstborn. It is not about time, it is about status. If viewed in context, the next verse explicitly states that Christ created all things, principalities, and powers for Himself (Col. 1:6).
