There are three phrases in the Bible that some have attached to Jesus’ origin. They have been interpreted in such a way as to deny Jesus’ eternal divinity, making Him out to be a created being. Here’s why that’s not so.

The only begotten Son (John 3: 16). Jesus is one person with two natures. But He in His divinity has always existed (John 1: 1). At His incarnation, when He clothed himself with human nature (John 1: 14), His intrinsic essence did not change. He remained God, but was divested of His godly ranking, power, and privileges (Philippians 2: 7). It is the humanity He assumed that made His new existence a lower ranking than God in heaven. It is only in the sense of that lower ranking – a product of His collaboration with God in heaven – that He is considered “begotten” or Son of God.

The firstborn (Romans 8: 29; Colossians 1: 15, 18).  The Greek word, from which “firstborn” is translated, is “prototokos.” It means “special” or “chosen.” It doesn’t mean the eldest or the first to be born. Here are some biblical examples.

• Esau was born before Jacob, but Jacob is referred to as the “firstborn.” (Exodus 4: 22).
• David was the youngest of his family, yet he was called the “firstborn.” (Psalm 89: 27).
• Ephraim was called the “firstborn,” but he wasn’t Jacob’s eldest son. (Jeremiah 31: 9).
• Ismael was born before Isaac, but it is Isaac who is called the “firstborn.” (Hebrews 11: 17).

The beginning of the creation of God (Revelation 3: 14). This doesn’t mean that Jesus was the first of God’s creation. The word “beginning” is translated from the Greek word “arche,” which means the first cause. Jesus was the First Cause. In other words, instead of Jesus being created, creation was begun by Him.